Abasement:
The lowering of one of higher rank. Jesus abased himself in that, though he was
God, he lowered himself and became a human being so that he might save us from
our sins (see Phil 2:6-11).
Adoption:
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit transforms us into children of the Father, thereby
making us his adopted sons and daughters in the likeness of his eternal Son
(see Eph 1:3-6). In this way, the faithful are made “partakers in the divine
nature (cf. 2 Pt 1:4) by uniting them in a living union with the only Son, the
Savior” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], no. 1129). In the sacraments,
we become the sons and daughters of God by adoption through Christ Jesus.
Angels
and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, thrones and dominions:
Spiritual, personal, and immortal creatures, with intelligence and free will,
who glorify God and serve him as messengers of his saving plan. Traditionally,
the choirs of angels have been divided into various ranks, including
archangels, cherubim, seraphim, thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers
(see Col 1:16).
Chalice:
From the Latin word “calix” meaning “cup” (see Ps 116:13; Mt 20:22; 1 Cor
10:16). Th e use of this term in the Liturgy points to the chalice’s function
as a particular kind of cup and indicates the uniqueness of what it contains,
the very Blood of Christ.
Clemency:
The loving kindness, compassion, or mercy that God shows to sinners.
Communion:
Our fellowship and union with Jesus and other baptized Christians in the
Church, which has its source and summit in the celebration of the Eucharist. By
receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, we are united to him and one another as
members of his body
Consecration:
The dedication of a thing or person to divine service by a prayer or blessing.
In the Mass, “consecration” also refers to the words spoken by the priest
whereby the bread and wine are transformed into the risen Body and Blood of
Jesus.
Consubstantial:
The belief, articulated in the Nicene Creed, about the relationship of the
Father and the Son: that “in the Father and with the Father, the Son is one and
the same God” (CCC, no. 262).
Contrite:
To be repentant within one’s heart and mind for sins committed and to resolve
not to sin again.
Covenant:
A solemn agreement between human beings, between God and a human being, or
between God and a people involving mutual commitments or promises. In the Old
Testament, God made a covenant with the Jewish people. Jesus, through his death
and Resurrection, made a new covenant with the whole of humanity. One enters
into this new covenant through faith and Baptism.
Damnation:
Eternal separation from God’s love caused by dying in mortal sin without
repentance.
Godhead:
The mystery of one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Homage:
The honor, respect, and reverence due to another. Homage is especially due to
God, for he is eternal, all good, all holy, and all loving.
Implore:
To plead, beseech, or ask with humility. This is an example of the
self-deprecatory language in the Roman Missal that helps to express our
dependence on God. We humbly beg the Father to hear and answer our prayers, for
we ask them in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus.
Incarnation:
The Son of God assumed human nature and became man by being conceived by the
Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is true God and true man. As
man, the Son of God obtained our salvation. The use of this term in the Nicene
Creed indicates that Jesus’ birth has a significance beyond that of any other
human birth
Ineffable:
That which cannot be conceived or expressed fully (see 1 Cor 2:6-9). One
cannot, for example, adequately describe in concepts and words the mystery of
the Trinity or the mystery of the Incarnation.
Infusion:
The Holy Spirit is poured into the hearts and souls of believers, and so they
are filled, or infused, with grace.
Intercessor:
One who makes a petition on behalf of others. Our unique intercessor is Jesus
Christ, who intercedes on our behalf with the Father (see Rom 8:34). The priest
at Mass acting in the person of Christ intercedes on behalf of the whole
Church.
Justification:
The gracious action by which God frees us from sin and makes us holy and
righteous before him.
Lord,
God of Hosts: From the word “sabaoth,” hosts are
the invisible powers that work at God’s command over heaven and earth
Mediator:
One who unites or reconciles separate or opposing parties. Thus, Jesus Christ
is the “one mediator between God and the human race” (1 Tm 2:5). Through his
sacrificial offering he has become high priest and unique mediator who has
gained for us access to the Father through the Holy Spirit.
Merit:
The reward that God promises and gives to those who love him and who by his
grace perform good works. One cannot earn justification or eternal life; they
are the free gifts of God. Rather our merit is from God through Christ in the
Holy Spirit. The Father freely justifies us in Christ through the indwelling of
the Spirit; and Christians, by the same Holy Spirit, are empowered to do good
works of love and justice. In cooperating with the Holy Spirit, the faithful
receive further grace and thus, in Christ, cooperate in the work of their
salvation.
Only-Begotten
Son: This title “signifies the unique and
eternal relationship of Jesus Christ to God his Father: he is the only Son of
the Father (cf. Jn 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18); he is God himself (cf. Jn 1:1)” (CCC,
no. 454). Jesus is the Son of God not by adoption but by nature.
Paschal:
Referring to Christ’s work of redemption accomplished through his Passion,
death, Resurrection, and Ascension. Through the Paschal Mystery, Jesus
destroyed our death and restored us to life. The Paschal Mystery is celebrated
and made present in the Liturgy so that we can obtain the fruit of Jesus’ death
and Resurrection, that is, the forgiveness of our sins and the new life of the
Holy Spirit
Patriarchs:
Title given to the venerable ancestors or “fathers” of the Semitic peoples,
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who received God’s promise of election.
Precursor:
One who comes before as a herald. John the Baptist is the precursor of Jesus.
Provident
grace: The free and undeserved gift that God
gives us as he protects and governs all creation.
Redemption:
Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer because he frees us from our sin
through his sacrificial death on the Cross.
Temporal:
What pertains to this world of time and history, as opposed to what pertains to
God, such as our new life in Christ through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Venerate:
To show devotion and respect to holy things and people. Catholics venerate
relics and saints. Veneration must be clearly distinguished from adoration and
worship, both of which pertain solely to the Trinity and Jesus as the Son of
God.
REFERENCES
Catechism of the
Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, 2000.
General
Instruction of the Roman Missal. Liturgy Documentary Series 2.
Washington, DC:
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2003.
Excerpts from the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, copyright © 2000, Libreria
Editrice Vaticana–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington,
D.C. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture texts used in this work are
taken from the New American Bible, copyright © 1991, 1986, and 1970 by the Confraternity
of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC 20017 and are used by permission of the
copyright owner. All rights reserved.
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