DTS Conclave Talk #1

Given by Father Ray Bourque, O.M.I.

DTS National Conclave 2002

June 12, 2002       Talk #1            Fr. Ray

Theme: Salvation History and Our Relationship to God

Scriptures:

Genesis 17 God called Abraham to walk in His presence and be blameless

Psalm 139 "Where can I go . . ."

1 Thes 5:1-3 "May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness"

 Deuteronomy 6:4 Love God with all your heart, soul, strength

-take this to heart

-write on door of your house

-write on the gate of your property

-instill in your children

-do everywhere

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 Mouth speaks of what is in the heart

-love should be in ones heart

-use like a password "check your mouth" Watch what you say – it tells of what is in your heart – profanity, etc.

God is love and God is free - Genesis 16

-we are free

-if we weren't made free we wouldn't be made like God

The Devil is a Liar - Genesis 3 speaks of the 3 lies by Satan to Eve.

Adam and Eve lost preternatural gifts

-So why do we have original sin? Adam and Eve passed this on to us. Think of it this way; if I have property and I lose it, how much do my children get? None because there is no property to obtain. The same is with the gifts Adam and Eve lost.

Fallen Man

As a result of the loss of the Preternatural Gifts, fallen man (that's us!) has the following:

-Confused destination

-Damaged brain

-Weak Will

 God speaks His word to us.

 The Bible is divided as follows:

Pages 1-12 (only) = the World

Middle (Largest Section) = Abraham and Family (people in search of God)

Last = Jesus (Redeemer)

 *If one loves something greater it pulls him up

*If one loves something less it pulls him down

(Just think, is it better to raise the standard or lower the standard? One must choose love of God or love of self and the world. The latter pulls one down because by his very nature, man longs for God.)

 Sirach 47

 587 BC - Jews lost b/c they didn't listen to God. God does not talk for 400 years (would you waste breath if you weren't being listened to? Nope!) Man obviously couldn't make it alone so God sent His only begotten Son and as a result, Christian man is made.

Christian Man

Christian Man is called by God to be the following: (This is the program!!!)

1.      Holy

2.      Blameless

3.      Full of Love

4.      A People of Prayer

Ephesians 1:4 à This is the key to Heaven!

Man could not make it alone so God sent His Son.

 God patches up our damaged brains - starts @ the level of Adam and Eve

Chart of the Life of Man

Original Man 10à

 After the fall, man was simply "creature" of God

 After Baptism man becomes adopted sons – children of God.

Christian Man                                                  à

9 - Final Perseverance

8 - Beatitudes tough thing dumped in lap: 8 mountain peaks

7 - Fruits of the HS (Gal 5:22) easy - 65 of them

6 - Charism: build the kingdom

5 - Charisms: personal gifts

4 - Sacraments/Sacramentals

3 - Seven Gifts of the HS

2 - Virtue - 65 Virtues to do 120 things

1- Adam & Eve (Gal 4:4 - become children of God)

            Born   - Baptism

            Grew   - Confirmation

            Eat - Eucharist

            Sick   - Confession

            Vocation  - Priesthood/Marriage

            Die   - Anointing

Final Notes:

Problems in the World Due to Original Sin and Their Solution

Confused Destination à Seek Heaven

Damaged Brain

Weak Will à Seek God's Will

Only through/by God can these things be corrected! We need Him!

Notes transcribed during talks by Sarah A. Korte. (Thanks Sarah!)     --    Clarified and explained by Mike Aberer and Sarah