Discussion Questions for Living the Mysteries
These questions are provided for the use of those who reading the book recommended on Catholic Ragemonkey. They are free for re-production for those using this book in group discussion.
Discussion Questions #1
1. Name one thing you learned about the Sacraments in general from this week’s reading.
2. Discuss how the Church Fathers used the Old Testament to explain various aspects of the Sacred Mysteries.
3. Using specific information from the reading, demonstrate how you could more effectively explain the role of tradition in the life of the Church.
4. Based upon your reading, which element of the Sacramental Mysteries is most important to the Church Fathers?
5. Given what is said about the commonness of the signs used in the sacraments, explain what effect that might have on a Christian’s identity and self-perception.
6. When the Church Fathers speak of "change," do they perceive change as a positive or negative reality?
Discussion Questions #2
1. List the effects of Baptism and Confirmation according to St. Cyril. Be sure to show where you found your answer.
2. Describe how the ancient practices surrounding Baptism and Confirmation are similar and dissimilar to what the Church does today.
3. Interpret what the rituals and details of the sacrament of Baptism communicate about the human person.
4. Discuss the paradoxical nature of Baptism as it is understood by St. Cyril.
5. Using the readings, name some practical ways to live out the promises of your baptism.
6. Does the location of St. Cyril’s preaching of these instructions enhance the points he is making?
Discussion Questions #3
1. In your own words, define the concept of ‘illumination’ as understood by St. Clement of Alexandria.
2. Describe the effects that come from illumination.
3. St. Clement uses several strong analogies for the process and work of illumination. Interpret
why these images are particularly fitting for the topic of illumination.
4. Distinguish between the various causes for man’s illumination. Why is it important to make these distinctions?
5. Since all Christians are illuminated through Grace and Faith, compose a daily schedule for yourself that better reflects your illuminated nature. What must go into that regime?
6. When St. Clement discusses the Holy Eucharist, which images employed were most obvious to you? Which images were most moving for you?
Discussion Questions #4
1. According to St. Ambrose, what is the Holy Eucharist? (Be careful; this one is a loaded question.)
2. Discuss how reception of Holy Communion immerses us in the fullness of salvation history.
3. What petition of the Our Father is underlined in the preaching of St. Ambrose on the Holy Eucharist? What changes in your personal life might this create?
4. Do you see a pattern in the evidence St. Ambrose marshals for the reality of the Holy Eucharist, i.e. the Holy Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ? What is that pattern? Why is it relevant?
5. Using elements from St. Ambrose’s homilies, explain how the Church can describe the Holy Mass as "Heaven on Earth."
6. In one of the readings St. Ambrose uses especially strong, if not erotic language, to describe the act of receiving Holy Communion. Did you find that strange? Why or Why Not? How can he use such language to describe this holy gift?
Discussion Questions #5
1. List the characteristics of the Church as St. Augustine presents them in the given selections.
2. What one characteristic of the Church most influence and shapes St. Augustine’s thought concerning the Church?
3. Given the various images and types St. Augustine uses to describe the nature and operation of the Church, do these images and types help you to have a more dynamic life in the Church? How so?
4. What unforeseen consequence arises from our union with the Church and our reception of the Holy Eucharist? (Hint: While I have one specific idea in mind, it doesn’t exclude other possible answers.)
5. Could one call the Church a sacrament? What aspects of St. Augustine’s teaching would support this?
6. Could you relate St. Augustine’s teaching on the Church to your own experience as a Catholic? What might one do to bring a deeper richness to one’s lived experience of the Church as a Catholic?
Discussion Questions #6
1. According to St. John Chrysostom, to which three theological mysteries does the Sacrament of Matrimony refer?
2. Contrast the common understanding and perception of celibacy with that of St. John. How are they different? How are they the same?
3. Using the commentary provided in the reading, illustrate how the Christian married couple is called to live. Give specific examples.
4. Of the three goods of marriage – faithfulness, permanence, and fruitfulness – which one would St. John say permits marriage to be a symbol of the Holy Trinity?
5. Taking into consideration what St. John Chrysostom said on the subject of priesthood, marriage, and celibacy, could a renewal of married life result in an increased response to the vocation of priesthood and religious life? How? Why?
6. If you were St. John, summarize how he might suggest strengthening your marriage, if you are already married, or how one might go about finding a spouse, if you aren’t married.
Discussion Questions #7
1. Which events of our Lord’s life give a hint of our final destiny and by what means do we encounter and participate in this destiny?
2. Discuss how, in the thought of St. Leo, glorification achieved by Christ corrects the Fall.
3. How can St. Leo the Great’s discussion of glory correct the Protestant notion of "Salvation by Faith Alone?"
4. What relationship does the virtue of hope have with the reality of God’ glory? Which vices related to the virtue of hope does this allow us to correct?
5. Are the mysteries of the Faith mere metaphors? Why or why not?
6. Why can the topic of glorification be both a fitting conclusion to our study and a fitting resumption of our spiritual journey?
These questions are provided for the use of those who reading the book recommended on Catholic Ragemonkey. They are free for re-production for those using this book in group discussion.
Discussion Questions #1
1. Name one thing you learned about the Sacraments in general from this week’s reading.
2. Discuss how the Church Fathers used the Old Testament to explain various aspects of the Sacred Mysteries.
3. Using specific information from the reading, demonstrate how you could more effectively explain the role of tradition in the life of the Church.
4. Based upon your reading, which element of the Sacramental Mysteries is most important to the Church Fathers?
5. Given what is said about the commonness of the signs used in the sacraments, explain what effect that might have on a Christian’s identity and self-perception.
6. When the Church Fathers speak of "change," do they perceive change as a positive or negative reality?
Discussion Questions #2
1. List the effects of Baptism and Confirmation according to St. Cyril. Be sure to show where you found your answer.
2. Describe how the ancient practices surrounding Baptism and Confirmation are similar and dissimilar to what the Church does today.
3. Interpret what the rituals and details of the sacrament of Baptism communicate about the human person.
4. Discuss the paradoxical nature of Baptism as it is understood by St. Cyril.
5. Using the readings, name some practical ways to live out the promises of your baptism.
6. Does the location of St. Cyril’s preaching of these instructions enhance the points he is making?
Discussion Questions #3
1. In your own words, define the concept of ‘illumination’ as understood by St. Clement of Alexandria.
2. Describe the effects that come from illumination.
3. St. Clement uses several strong analogies for the process and work of illumination. Interpret
why these images are particularly fitting for the topic of illumination.
4. Distinguish between the various causes for man’s illumination. Why is it important to make these distinctions?
5. Since all Christians are illuminated through Grace and Faith, compose a daily schedule for yourself that better reflects your illuminated nature. What must go into that regime?
6. When St. Clement discusses the Holy Eucharist, which images employed were most obvious to you? Which images were most moving for you?
Discussion Questions #4
1. According to St. Ambrose, what is the Holy Eucharist? (Be careful; this one is a loaded question.)
2. Discuss how reception of Holy Communion immerses us in the fullness of salvation history.
3. What petition of the Our Father is underlined in the preaching of St. Ambrose on the Holy Eucharist? What changes in your personal life might this create?
4. Do you see a pattern in the evidence St. Ambrose marshals for the reality of the Holy Eucharist, i.e. the Holy Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ? What is that pattern? Why is it relevant?
5. Using elements from St. Ambrose’s homilies, explain how the Church can describe the Holy Mass as "Heaven on Earth."
6. In one of the readings St. Ambrose uses especially strong, if not erotic language, to describe the act of receiving Holy Communion. Did you find that strange? Why or Why Not? How can he use such language to describe this holy gift?
Discussion Questions #5
1. List the characteristics of the Church as St. Augustine presents them in the given selections.
2. What one characteristic of the Church most influence and shapes St. Augustine’s thought concerning the Church?
3. Given the various images and types St. Augustine uses to describe the nature and operation of the Church, do these images and types help you to have a more dynamic life in the Church? How so?
4. What unforeseen consequence arises from our union with the Church and our reception of the Holy Eucharist? (Hint: While I have one specific idea in mind, it doesn’t exclude other possible answers.)
5. Could one call the Church a sacrament? What aspects of St. Augustine’s teaching would support this?
6. Could you relate St. Augustine’s teaching on the Church to your own experience as a Catholic? What might one do to bring a deeper richness to one’s lived experience of the Church as a Catholic?
Discussion Questions #6
1. According to St. John Chrysostom, to which three theological mysteries does the Sacrament of Matrimony refer?
2. Contrast the common understanding and perception of celibacy with that of St. John. How are they different? How are they the same?
3. Using the commentary provided in the reading, illustrate how the Christian married couple is called to live. Give specific examples.
4. Of the three goods of marriage – faithfulness, permanence, and fruitfulness – which one would St. John say permits marriage to be a symbol of the Holy Trinity?
5. Taking into consideration what St. John Chrysostom said on the subject of priesthood, marriage, and celibacy, could a renewal of married life result in an increased response to the vocation of priesthood and religious life? How? Why?
6. If you were St. John, summarize how he might suggest strengthening your marriage, if you are already married, or how one might go about finding a spouse, if you aren’t married.
Discussion Questions #7
1. Which events of our Lord’s life give a hint of our final destiny and by what means do we encounter and participate in this destiny?
2. Discuss how, in the thought of St. Leo, glorification achieved by Christ corrects the Fall.
3. How can St. Leo the Great’s discussion of glory correct the Protestant notion of "Salvation by Faith Alone?"
4. What relationship does the virtue of hope have with the reality of God’ glory? Which vices related to the virtue of hope does this allow us to correct?
5. Are the mysteries of the Faith mere metaphors? Why or why not?
6. Why can the topic of glorification be both a fitting conclusion to our study and a fitting resumption of our spiritual journey?
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