Unit 5: Jesus Is Our Savior
In this unit, we learn about Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. We also learn about the mass and the Eucharist, which are the memorials of these things.
LESSON 20
Jesus Died for Our Sins
Jesus gave His life on the Cross and rose from the dead on the third day so that we could be forgiven of our sins.
VOCABULARY
Lamb of God:
A title given to Jesus that describes His sacrifice to free us from sin. In the Old Testament, a lamb was sacrificed for the temporary forgiveness of sin. Jesus’ sacrifice makes the forgiveness of sin possible for everyone for all time.
Sacrifice:
A sacrifice is when you do something you might not want to do in order to help someone else.
Salvation:
Being freed from the power and effects of sin. From the beginning, God promised us freedom from sin. He revealed His plan to save us from sin throughout Salvation History and Jesus Christ completed the plan of salvation by His sacrifice on the Cross and Resurrection from the dead. Sacred Scripture is our primary source for the truth we need to know for the sake of our salvation.
Savior:
Someone who brings salvation. Jesus is our Savior. He saves us from sin and death by His Death on the Cross and Resurrection.
Cross:
Two wooden beams placed across one another in a t-shape used by the Romans to put criminals to death. Jesus was nailed to a cross and died. The cross is now a Christian symbol of salvation.
LESSON 21
Jesus Rose from the Dead
Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have been saved from sin and death, and it is now possible for us to be forgiven of our sin and to enter into Heaven one day.
VOCABULARY
LESSON VOCABULARY
Redeem:
To free someone from something that burdens or harms him or her. Jesus freed us from sin by His sacrifice on the cross.
Resurrection:
Returning to life after dying. Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after His death on the cross. This historical event is called the Resurrection.
Ascension:
Forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus went up to, or ascended into, Heaven in His glorified body. There He is seated at the right hand of the Father in all His glory. (665, 1194)
Paschal Mystery:
The suffering, death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus. These events saved us from sin and death as the Passover of the New Covenant.
Witness:
A witness is someone who sees something happen and tells others about what he saw.
Alleluia:
Alleluia means “praise God” or “praise the Lord” and is a joyful exclamation of praise and worship to God.
LESSON 22
Jesus Gave Us the Mass
At every Mass, the events of our salvation are made present to us on the altar in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and we are invited take part in this memorial of our salvation.
LESSON VOCABULARY
Memorial:
A way of remembering and celebrating the past. The word “remember” means “to make present again.” In the Eucharist, Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross is made present to us again.
Mass:
The liturgical celebration and memorial of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and Resurrection from the dead. At every Mass, the priest changes the bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood in the Eucharist. The Mass is divided into two sections: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. (1190, 1408, 1412)
Liturgy of the Word:
The first part of the Mass in which we receive the written Word of God. In this part of the Mass, the Scriptures are proclaimed and the priest teaches us in his homily. We also join together in prayer for others and profess our faith.
Liturgy of the Eucharist:
The second part of the Mass in which we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. In this part of the Mass, the priest prays the words of consecration and changes the bread and wine in the Body and Blood of Christ. We also come to the altar of the Lord and receive Holy Communion. (1408)
LESSON 23
Jesus Gives Himself to Us in the Eucharist
Jesus taught us that He is the Bread of Life and that we must eat His Body and drink His Blood in order to have eternal life.
LESSON VOCABULARY
Bread of Life:
The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ given to us as spiritual food.
Eucharist:
The Sacrament in which we receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life. It is spiritual food for the soul. It is not merely a symbol, but is Jesus’ true flesh and blood. (1275, 1407, 1409, 1412)
First Communion
LESSON 24:
We Worship as a Community in Our Parish
The members of the Church are the Body of Christ.
LESSON VOCABULARY
Bishop:
The leader of a diocese and main teacher of the Catholic Faith. A bishop also makes the Sacraments available to the people of his diocese. The bishops of the Church are the successors of the Apostles.
Diocese:
A geographic area of the Church that is led by a bishop. Each diocese is made up of many parishes
Parish:
A local community of Christian faithful led by a pastor (the leader of the parish) and priests. In our parishes, we receive the Sacraments and all of God’s gifts, everything we need to know, love, and serve God.
Priest:
A priest is a co-worker with his bishop. He preaches the Gospel of Christ and makes the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, available to the People of God.
Body of Christ:
(n.): Another name for the Church. Just as a body has many parts, so too does the Church have many members. Each of us plays a specific and important role in the Body of Christ. Together we continue Christ’s work in the world as His hands and feet.
Church:
The community of disciples founded by Jesus that will exist until the end of time. The Church is at the same time human and divine. It is the gathering of God’s people on earth and it is the mystical Body of Christ. The Church is also the Temple of the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the Body of Christ and unites its members. (777, 779, 805, 809, 810)
Twelve Apostles:
The Twelve Apostles were 12 men specially chosen by Jesus to continue His ministry. They were the first bishops.
Pastor:
A pastor is a priest who leads and cares for a parish.