The Human Responding in Faith 1

Table of Contents
Module Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Module Outcomes/ Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Module Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Gospel Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Lesson 1: Human Person: Responding in Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Starting Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Lesson Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Enabling Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Self-Care/ Me-Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Gospel Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Lesson 2A: Dimensions of Faith: BELIEVING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Starting Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Lesson Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Enabling Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Self-Care/ Me-Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Gospel Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Lesson 2B: Dimensions of Faith: DOING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Starting Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lesson Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Enabling Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Self-Care/ Me-Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Gospel Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Lesson 2C: Dimensions of Faith: TRUSTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Starting Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Lesson Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Enabling Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Self-Care/ Me-Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Gospel Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Lesson 3: The Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Starting Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Lesson Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Enabling Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Self-Care/ Me-Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Gospel Reflection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Lesson 4: Conversion: The Renewed Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Starting Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Lesson Proper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Enabling Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Self-Care/ Me-Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Learning References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

The Human Responding in Faith 2

 Module Markers
MARKERS MEANING

GOSPEL REFLECTION
Each module starts with a Gospel activity. Bible verses are presented in text
and you should write a reflection about it. Guide questions for reflection are
provided. (Your respective teacher will determine if this will count towards your
assessment grade).
MODULE OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES
You will see here the expected Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) and Topic
Learning Outcomes (TLO). This will provide an overview of what you should
learn in the module.

MODULE REQUIREMENTS
This section will show you the required activities/tasks that you need to
submit/accomplish.

STARTING ACTIVITY
This activity is designed to stir up your interest in the lesson to be discussed.
(Your respective teacher will determine if this will count towards your assessment grade).

LESSON PROPER
Contains the bulk of the learning activity. This will provide you with the
content to address the learning outcomes which is divided into subheadings.

ENABLING ASSESSMENT
This assessment will allow you to deepen your understanding of the lesson.
Through the different exercises, this will assure you of a quality teaching-
learning experience.

SELF-CARE/ME-TIME
This is a culminating activity that spices up your learning and is designed to
help promote self-care. (Your respective teacher will determine if this will count towards
your assessment grade).

LEARNING REFERENCES
These are the materials used (sources of information) in the lessons. You
may refer to them to learn more about the topics discussed.

LESSON TIME
This will provide you an idea of how long the lesson and activities will take.
DO NOT BE ALARMED, this is simply a guide. There is no problem if you
exceeded the time or if you finished the lesson and activities ahead of time.

The Human Responding in Faith 3

 MODULE OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES

CLO2. Recall and deepen one’s communion with God and neighbors by celebrating faith in
personal and communal prayer.;
CLO3. Manifest the Spirit of Faith by showing concern for the well-being of the person and the
whole creation;
CLO4. Become active members of the Church and society by participating in DLSU-D mission
activities (CMO, ULFO & LCDC);
TLO7. Examine the threefold constitutive elements of Faith.
TLO8. Summarize the threefold constitutive elements of Faith.
TLO9. Demonstrate the threefold constitutive elements of Faith.

MODULE REQUIREMENTS

In this module, you are expected to

a. Bible (both Old and New Testament)
b. Read the lessons; and
c. Submit the activities/assessment tasks required by your respective teacher, these may
include:
 Gospel Reflection
 Starting Activity
 Enabling Assessment (required for all students)
 Self-care/Me-Time
d. E-Book on Jesus’ Final days (Check WIKI, located at the SB Menu)

The Human Responding in Faith 4

 Leader: Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
(Pause in a moment of silence.)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 17:14-21. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to
there,’ and it will move

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and

knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He
has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire
or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could
not heal him.”

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied,

“how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with
you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and
it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why

couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so
little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a
mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here
to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

SOME THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

1. We often ask Jesus why we can’t accomplish many things in our life
and solve problems? What can we do about this?
2. In what areas of my life do I show these qualities of non-
responsiveness?

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Opening Prayer: Lord God Almighty, keep us faithful to your law, in thought, word, and deed.
Be our helper, now and always, free us from sin, and bring us to salvation
in that kingdom where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. AMEN

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Write your Gospel reflection (personal journal) here based on the guide questions.

Gospel Reflection

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 1.5 HOURS

Lesson 1
What is Faith

Overview
The topic on faith is an important one for the days in which we
live. This lesson will teach us how this virtue in life deepen our
realization of God, the meaning and purpose of living in this
world. How important His presence in our life as individuals as
well as a community as we find hope and love on the things we
do not see with our physical eyes.

Faith

Holy
Spirit

Conversion

The Dynamics of Faith

The Human Responding in Faith 7

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

STARTING ACTIVITY

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Identity one of the most challenging moment in your life where your faith in God
was tested. Share your story.

Servant
Achiever
Leader

The Human Responding in Faith 8

 LESSON PROPER
“Prepare a path for God so that he can enter your heart.”
(Med 2.1)

WHAT IS FAITH?

Our faith life is grace or a gift that brings us into a personal, loving union with the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit. This grace enables us both to hear the Word of God and to keep it. The
qualities of faith listed here remind us of the basic ways in which we express our belief in God
and that challenge us to apply our faith in our daily lives:

FAITH IS A PERSONAL AND COMMUNAL RELATIONSHIP

“Faith is, first of all, a personal adherence . . . to God. At the same time, it is a free assent to
the whole truth that God has revealed” (CCC, no. 150). A personal faith says, “I believe in
God.” This is an act of belief in the one, true, and living God. It is as though we gather all that
we are, and gratefully give our hearts and minds to God. We have a personal relationship with
the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But faith is also communal. It is not just a private
act. In the assembly of believers at Mass, we profess our faith together and join our hearts as
we experience ourselves as the Body of Christ. Our faith brings us into a relationship with
God’s people, and the faith of the entire people strengthens us in our relationship with God.

FAITH SEEKS UNDERSTANDING AND IS A FRIEND OF REASON

Faith is a grace or gift from God that makes it possible to gain some understanding of all that
he has revealed to us, including the totality of his plan as well as the many mysteries of faith.
Growth in understanding God’s Revelation is a lifelong process. Theology and catechesis help
us. We never completely understand these divine mysteries, but we often gain insight into
them. In this context, faith and reason work together to discover the truth.

FAITH IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION

“Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for
obtaining that salvation” (CCC, no. 161). The Lord himself [teaches]: ‘He who believes and is
baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned’” (CCC, no. 183, citing
Mk 16:16).

FAITH IS A GIFT OF GRACE

God not only speaks to us; he also gives us the grace to respond. To believe in Revelation we
need the gift of faith. Peter was able to see that Jesus was the Messiah, not from “flesh and
blood,” that is, not using reason or common sense, but by the grace of the Father (Mt 16:16-
18). When by faith and Baptism we enter the Church, we already share in eternal life. Faith
perceives this in ever-deepening ways, as through a glass darkly (1 Cor 13:12).

FAITH IS A FREE, HUMAN ACT

The Human Responding in Faith 9

Faith is a gift of God which enables us to know and love him. Faith is a way of knowing, just
as reason is. But living in faith is not possible unless there is action on our part. Through the
help of the Holy Spirit, we can decide to respond to divine Revelation and to follow through in
living out our response. God never forces his truth and love upon us. He reveals himself to us
as free human beings, and our faith response to him is made within the context of our
freedom. At Capernaum, Jesus asked the Apostles, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter
answers for them, “Master, to whom shall we go?” (Jn 6:67-68). Peter’s response is freely
sought and freely given. The same is true with each of us.

FAITH BELIEVES WITH CONVICTION IN A MESSAGE

We have seen that faith is a relationship with God. Now we note that it is also a belief in a
message. This message is found in Scripture and Tradition and is transmitted to us through
many means such as liturgical prayers and the Creeds. Faith fills us with conviction because
God guarantees the truthfulness of what he revealed. “Our Gospel did not come to you in word
alone, but also in power and the Holy Spirit and [with] much conviction” (1 Thes 1:5). The
Spirit assists us to be believers. “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of
things not seen” (Heb 11:1).

HOW DO WE RESPOND IN FAITH?

(The Five Aspects of Utang na Loob in Contrast with Faith)

UTANG-NA-LOOB FAITH
1. Happens in a GIVE-TAKE relationship 1. Our response to God’s Kagandahang-
loob with MALASAKIT
2. Takes place in the INTERIORITY of the 2. Arises from the INNER DEPTH (personal)
person on the RECEIVING END of our being
3. A SELF-IMPOSED OBLIGATION to 3. For a FREE COMMITMENT of ONESELF
RECIPROCATE (may kusa)
4. Builds an obligation BEYOND PAYMENT 4. In a LIFELONG process of FOLLOWING
due to a deep sensed LIFE-LONG JESUS
INDEBTEDNESS
5. Builds a community BOND of GRATITUDE 5. Done/expressed WITH and IN the
and RECIPROCITY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (Church) and
SOCIETY

CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
Faith challenges us to be able to RECOGNIZE GOD’S ACTION (self-revelation) in our daily life.
It helps us in making DECISIONS coming from WITHIN (KUSA) and not something “nakagisnan
lang”. It reminds us of the TASK of putting at all-time our COMMITMENT and ALLEGIANCE to
God that opens to MATURITY by INTEGRATING it into our TOTAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT and
GROWTH. Thus, encouraging us to become ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS for the welfare of our
FAMILY, CHURCH, SOCIETY, and ENVIRONMENT.

The Human Responding in Faith 10

 ENABLING ASSESSMENT

1. What religion do you believe in? When did you choose your faith?
2. Do you believe in God? What is your idea of what God looks like?
Grading Criteria
(upload your work in Schoolbook):
Organization of Ideas (10): ________
Depth of Reflection (5): ___________ TOTAL
Mechanics/Grammar (5): __________
/20

 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

SELF-CARE/ME-TIME

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Introspections: Recall a story that has touched your heart. A testimony of faith experience.

The Human Responding in Faith 11

 Leader: Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
(Pause in a moment of silence.)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

John 16:25-33. A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be
scattered, each to your own home”.

Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming

when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you
plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name.
I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No,
the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and
have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father
and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going
back to the Father.”

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and
without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all
things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you
questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in
fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own
home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my
Father is with me.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have

peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world.”

SOME THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

1. How do you overcome yourself when you feel God is not present in
your life?

The Human Responding in Faith 12

Opening Prayer: God our Father, the qualities I see lived out so well in some people are a
reflection of your goodness, and I know that I have much to learn from other
people who reflect your image and likeness in different ways. Inspire me to
respect others fully as my equals, seeing and loving in them what you see
and love in them. Amen.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Write your Gospel reflection (personal journal) here based on the guide questions.

Gospel Reflection

The Human Responding in Faith 13

 1.5 HOURS

Lesson 2A
The Dimensions of Faith: BELIEVING

Overview
The three succeeding topics will present to us the Dimensions of
Faith. This is a framework on that will enable you to appreciate
the gift of faith in your life as a Christian. It gives a perspective
that will lead you to discover the loving presence of God in your
family, church, society and environment.

THE THREE-FOLD DIMENSIONS OF FAITH

in Ordinary HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, Faith is considered a “NATURAL” reality. This relates

directly to our HUMAN STRUCTURE and corresponds to the CONSTITUENTS of our being
WHOLISTIC HUMAN PERSONS: MIND, WILL, and HEART. It includes these three aspects:

1. BELIEVING (acceptance): e.g., “words,” “promises” of others. What should I know?

2. DOING (following): e.g., rules and regulations of an institution. What should I do?
3. TRUSTING (Entrusting): e.g., doctors, drivers, etc. What may I hope for?
DIMENSIONS OF FAITH

Believing

Doing

Trusting

A Christian Perspective of Faith

The Human Responding in Faith 14

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

STARTING ACTIVITY

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Choose three symbols that you can immediately think of that best described
your faith. Explain these briefly.

Servant
Achiever
Leader

The Human Responding in Faith 15

 LESSON PROPER
“Say to Jesus as the apostles did: ‘Lord, teach us to pray’.”
(Letter 111 - to a member of a religious community of women, date unknown)

FAITH AS BELIEVING (PANINIWALA)

Grasping the “TRUTH” about the Self-Revealing God: (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). A Faith
that consists of a REAL KNOWLEDGE of God: corresponds to the question, “What should I
know?” To believe means “TO HOLD DEAR”. Not simply a matter of the mind (intellectual
activity) but a CONVICTION rooted in the heart.

There is a distinction between “knowing Jesus” and “knowing about Jesus”. It entails the
KNOWING that ends in PERSONAL ACCEPTANCE and FOLLOWING the person of Jesus. This
kind of Faith is a response of “utang na loob” though, but must be preceded by “PAGKILALA
sa KAGANDAHANG-LOOB ni Hesus”

CONCRETIZED through …
TRADITION AND THE MAGISTERIUM (Church) that becomes an Informed Faith. (Doctrines)

2 Thessalonians 2:14-15. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to
the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Through the GOSPELS or good news, God calls His people to share in the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Paul is asking those who have a heart the good news to stand firm and hold to
TRADITION, either by WORD or LETTER.

John 20:30-31. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are
not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah,
the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name.:

Jesus had been PERFORMED many SIGNS, manifestations of God’s Kagandahang-loob in the
presence of his disciples. There are also signs which were not recorded but were passed only
by the disciples to their followers. The purpose of the deeds of Jesus is to help people BELIEVE
in HIM as the Messiah/ Son of God.

CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
Jesus sends “Ministers of the Word”, the Good News of salvation, and to people with FAITH in
him. The Catholic Church continually exercises this “ministry of the Word” through her
teaching office, the Magisterium. The TEACHINGS and PRACTICES of the early Church have
been HANDED ON and CELEBRATED/PRACTICED from generation to generation through its
Sacred Tradition. Thus, the PURPOSE of the Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium is to make
people’s faith an informed faith.

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We just have to put our confidence and trust in our “SPIRITUAL FATHERS” (priests, bishops,
and the Pope) as we learn the CONTENT of our faith through the Church’s tradition and the
Magisterium.

ENABLING ASSESSMENT

1. Are Sacred Tradition and Church (Magisterium) important in our life as

Christians? Why?
2. Name 3 sacred traditions of the church that you still find very relevant and
meaningful in our time. Explain each briefly.

Grading Criteria
(upload your work in Schoolbook):
Organization of Ideas (10): ________
Depth of Reflection (5): ___________ TOTAL
Mechanics/Grammar (5): __________ /20

“For just as the body is one and has

many members, and all the members
of the body, though many, are one
body, so it is with Christ”.
1 Corinthians 12:12

The Human Responding in Faith 17

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

SELF-CARE/ME-TIME

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Introspection: Tell something about your story as a baptized member of your church.

CLOSING PRAYER: I will continue, O my God, to do all my actions for the love of you.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Human Responding in Faith 18

 Leader: Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
(Pause in a moment of silence.)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Matthew 20:1-16. “The last will be first, and the first will be last.”

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to
hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent
them into his vineyard. “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others
standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my
vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same
thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around.
He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ “When evening came, the
owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages,
beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ “The workers who were
hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those
came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also
received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the
landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have
made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the
day.’

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree
to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last
the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money?
Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will
be last.”

SOME THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

1. God gives his love, all of his love, to every person without exception if
they open themselves to this love. It does not matter whether that
happens early or late in life as this love can never be earned, only
accepted. How big is your need for God today?

The Human Responding in Faith 19

Opening Prayer: O Lord, you have mercy on all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully
set me ablaze with the fire of your Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart
of stone, and give me a human heart, a heart to love and adore you, a heart
to delight in you, to follow and enjoy you. Amen.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Write your Gospel reflection (personal journal) here based on the guide questions.

Gospel Reflection

The Human Responding in Faith 20

 1.5 HOURS

Lesson 2b
The Dimensions of Faith: DOING
 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

STARTING ACTIVITY

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: When will Utang na Loob (inner debt of gratitude) happen?

LESSON PROPER

“Do not forget to thank God for his many blessings.”

(Letter 76 - to a Brother Director, date unknown)

FAITH AS DOING (PAGSUNOD)

It has been said, “Correct understanding” which is ORTHODOXY must lead to “correct living”
which is ORTHOPRAXIS (James 2:14; Mt. 7:21).

The Human Responding in Faith 21

Faith as Doing corresponds to the question, “What should I do” to keep his commandments?
(pagsunod”) in 1 Jn 2:2-4, 5-6.

CONCRETIZED through …
MORALITY AND SPIRITUALITY that becomes a Practicing Faith. (Morals)

James 2:14-15. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have
works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily
food”?

These passages convey to us that Faith has no power to save us if it is not put into practice.

James 2:21-26. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son
Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed
by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was
counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person
is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, was not also Rahab the
prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another
way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead”.

Abraham made himself justified/righteous before God by his works. Through faith, he assisted
and implemented His works. We can see that not through faith alone but also with his works
that justify his person before God. Because faith without practicing it is like a body that does
not breathe.

Galatians 5:19-26. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity,
sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,
divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against
such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us
not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

It has been mentioned here that, lewd conduct, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery,
hostilities, bickering, jealously, rage, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envy,
drunkenness, orgies are the fruits of the flesh/ body. Those who following the stirring of the
flesh cannot enter the Kingdom of God. On the other hand, the fruits of the Spirit are love,
joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, chastity. Those who
practiced these have the power to save because it is the Spirit (Paraclete) who is the one
leading/prompting. Thus, such righteousness before God is not measured by faith alone, but
by faith seen in good works.

CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
Right now our Faith as Filipinos is CHALLENGED because of the crisis. We are encouraged and
called to EXPRESS through DEEDS of JUSTICE and LOVE our faith, not to be restricted to

The Human Responding in Faith 22

religious activities and private morality. Doing does not limit only to prayer and worship, by
putting aside Christ’s uncompromising command of loving service (love of God and
neighbors), especially the Lost, Last, and Least among our brothers and sisters. Therefore,
doing should not be taken in a “moralistic approach” such as a system of “DO’s” and DON’T’s”
that focuses only on our external efforts, but without love that comes from the heart.

ENABLING ASSESSMENT

1. Why is “faith by itself, if it has no works” dead, according to James? What does
this mean to you? Give an example.
2. What seems to be James’ “overall message” in 2:14-15? Is this message still
relevant to Christians today? Why?

Grading Criteria
(upload your work in Schoolbook):
Organization of Ideas (10): ________
Depth of Reflection (5): ___________ TOTAL
Mechanics/Grammar (5): __________ /20

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters
of mine, you did for me”. Matthew 25:40

The Human Responding in Faith 23

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

SELF-CARE/ME-TIME

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Introspection: When was the last time you help your neighbor? Share a narrative.

CLOSING PRAYER: I will continue, O my God, to do all my actions for the love of you.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Human Responding in Faith 24

 Leader: Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
(Pause in a moment of silence.)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Mark 12:28-34. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind and with all your
strength’.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.
Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked
him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O
Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than
these.”

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying
that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with
all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your
strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more
important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus
saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not
far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared
ask him any more questions.

SOME THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

1. What elements of my faith do I struggle with? Is the commandment to
love really the priority for me? When I am struggling in my life what is
my priority?

The Human Responding in Faith 25

Opening Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of
Your love. Send forth Your Spirit that we shall be created and renewed in the
face of the earth. Instruct our hearts by Your light that we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in Your consolation through Christ, our Lord. Amen

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Write your Gospel reflection (personal journal) here based on the guide questions.

Gospel Reflection

The Human Responding in Faith 26

 1.5 HOURS

Lesson 2c
The Dimensions of Faith: TRUSTING
 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

STARTING ACTIVITY

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instruction: From a scale of 1-10 rate yourself how trustworthy you are. Explain.

LESSON PROPER

“In the light of faith you see things quite differently.”

(Letter 118 - to a laywoman, date unknown)

FAITH AS TRUSTING (PAGTITIWALA)

Beyond believing and doing, faith is also ENTRUSTING oneself to God. It grows and is
sustained by PRAYER and WORSHIP. This is our loving, conscious, personal, and intimate
“CONVERSATION” with God. We offer ourselves as LIVING SACRIFICES before God.

The Human Responding in Faith 27

CONCRETIZED through …
LITURGY/PRAYER, DEVOTIONS that becomes a Faith in Communion. (Worship)

Philippians 4:4-6. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness
be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Paul exhorting the Philippians to rejoice always in the Lord as they present their needs before
Him. Through forms of prayers and petitions, they should come to Him with gratitude.

James 5:13-15. Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them
sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray
over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will
make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

James exhorted to ask presbyters to pray over and anoint those who are sick for them to be
healed and forgiven for their sins.

Luke 11:5-9. Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at
midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has
come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t
bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and
give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because
of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity, he will surely get up and give you as
much as you need. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.

The persistence of the one asking for help is truly remarkable. This man resting in the middle
of the night get up to look after the needs of the one asking for help is a noble act. Jesus
taught us to ask to receive, seek to find, and knock to be welcomed.

Ephesians 6:18-20. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me,
that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of
the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I
should.

We have to pray to the Spirit in every opportunity of our life. Paul suggests prayers and
petitions of every sort should be performed before God.

CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
We should celebrate our Faith by rejoicing in the Lord by presenting our needs to Him as an
act of Faith for his continued providence. Though God knows our needs, he asked us to
present our needs to him in every sort of prayers and petitions by participating in the public
worship (Liturgy) of the Church not simply as an obligation, but a constitutive aspect of the
communitarian dimension of our Christian life.
Through the Liturgy, we can participate in the public worship of the Christian community

The Human Responding in Faith 28

expressed in specific ritual acts, such as the Holy Eucharist (including the Mass and
Eucharistic devotions) and other sacraments and sacramentals. These sacraments are
celebrations of Faith that channel God’s grace to us to build up his Church and sanctify us.

There are three (3) major divisions of the sacraments: a) Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation,
Holy Eucharist; b) Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick; and, c) Commitment: Holy
Orders and Matrimony.

We have to persevere in our prayers (devotions), praying for one another (living and dead), as
signs of faith/trust in the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION

Faith is our Total Personal Response to a Self-Revealing God. It is seen in the Three
Dimensions that we are to concretize through our DOCTRINES (Creed), MORALS (the
Commandments), and WORSHIP (the Sacraments). All of these are integrated and are
working together as a WHOLE. Thus, we come to see here the Human Person responding in
Faith before God.

ENABLING ASSESSMENT

1. Are you a baptized person? In what manner do you worship God (e.g.
sacraments, rituals, devotions, etc.)? Elaborate your answer.
2. When was the last time you have had a great moment with God in prayer?
Share your experience.

Grading Criteria
(upload your work in Schoolbook):
Organization of Ideas (10): ________
Depth of Reflection (5): ___________ TOTAL
Mechanics/Grammar (5): __________ /20

“For where two or three gather in my name,

there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20

The Human Responding in Faith 29

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

SELF-CARE/ME-TIME

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Introspection: How often do you go to church to celebrate with your community? Tell of the things
that you value. Explain how does it affect your life as a person with faith in God?

CLOSING PRAYER: I will continue, O my God, to do all my actions for the love of you.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Human Responding in Faith 30

 Leader: Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
(Pause in a moment of silence.)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

John 14:15-17. “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another
advocate to help you and be with you forever”.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the
Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you
and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world
cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows
him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in
you.

SOME THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

1. How does Jesus tell you to respond, if you truly love him? How will
you demonstrate this love?
2. Where does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will live? Share a meaningful
experience.

Opening Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, come. Let thy bright beams arise, dispel the darkness
from our minds, and open all our eyes. Revive our drooping faith, our doubts
and fears remove, And kindle in our breasts the flame of everlasting Love.
Amen!

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

The Human Responding in Faith 31

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Write your Gospel reflection (personal journal) here based on the guide questions.

Gospel Reflection

The Human Responding in Faith 32

 1.5 HOURS

Lesson 3
The Holy Spirit

Overview
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity holds that God is one God, but
three persons - the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy
Spirit - as "one God in three Divine persons". This topic will
explain how this Spirit of God continues to live with us and sanctify
us in our lives as Christians.

The Dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit

(Paraclete)

The Human Responding in Faith 33

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

STARTING ACTIVITY

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instruction: If you will be asked to draw your image of “Holy Spirit” what will it be and why?

Servant
Achiever
Leader

LESSON PROPER

“God’s compassion for you is greater than the troubles you have.”
(Med 38.1)

THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE GIVER OF LIFE

THE HOLY SPIRIT: ACTIVITY IN SALVATION HISTORY

The Holy Spirit’s involvement in CREATION, the Principle of His Co-Existence, at the beginning
of God’s Self-communication and Self-revelation can be found in Gen. 1:1-2, “In the beginning,
God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void, and darkness

The Human Responding in Faith 34

was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters”.

“Spirit” means the “breath”, “blowing, “wind,” which indicates that this same Spirit is a LIFE-
GIVING FORCE in our human existence.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OUR HISTORY

The relationship between “HUMAN HISTORY” and “SALVATION HISTORY” is not a mere
“context” (place) wherein God communicates, but an essential part of God’s “creative act” of
manifesting/revealing Himself. Thus, the history of the world is also a HISTORY OF
SALVATION, since history is marked by our obedience or rejection to God’s offer of Himself.

The role of the Holy Spirit in HISTORY guides and inspires us. As we can see from time
immemorial, for example in the lives of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets.

Gen. 41:38- 40. Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the
spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,
there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my
people are to submit to your orders. Only concerning the throne will I be greater than you.”

2 Sam.23:1-2. These are the last words of David: “The inspired utterance of David son of
Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Highest, the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel’s songs: “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my
tongue”.

Joel 1:1-2. The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Pethuel. Hear this, you elders; listen,
all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or the days of your
ancestors?

Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29. The Spirit of the Lord came on him so that he became Israel’s judge
and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel,
who overpowered him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet,
summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. He
crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced
against the Ammonites.

In these biblical passages, the Holy Spirit is shown INSPIRING LIFE, DIRECTING to the fullness
of man’s maturity.

1 Cor. 2:10, 12. these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all
things, even the deep things of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the
Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

He DWELLS in us as in a TEMPLE working for our sanctification. TRANSFORMING us to become

ADOPTED CHILDREN (partakers of the Divine Life) of God, that makes us SHARERS into the
LIFE of the Father and the Son.

The Human Responding in Faith 35

 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE PERSON-GIFT

Three (3) “Occasions” according to St. John Paul II in his encyclical Dominum et Vivificantem:

1. Genesis: Story of Creation – as “WIND” and “BREATH” of God that ANIMATES LIFE

Gen. 1:1-2. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was
formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was
hovering over the waters.

2. Isaiah and Jesus’ Baptism - as “GIFT” to the MESSIAH (realized in Jesus)

Is. 11:1-3. A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots, a Branch will bear
fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the
Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord - and he will
delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes or decide by
what he hears with his ears.

Is. 48:16. “Come near me and listen to this: from the first announcement I have not spoken in
secret; at the time it happens, I am there.” And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me, endowed
with his Spirit

Is. 61:1. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to
proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Jn. 1:32. Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove
and remain on him.

3. Jesus’ Farewell Discourse: as a “PERSON-GIFT” to HUMANITY

Jn. 14:16-17. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you
and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither
sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Jn. 16:13. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will
not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

1 Jn. 2:1. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin,
we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AS PERSON-LOVE IN THE TRIUNE GOD

Rom. 5:5. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into
our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

God as LOVE is present within us and leading us to love

The Human Responding in Faith 36

 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS WITNESS: ACTIVITY IN THE CHURCH

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHRIST, THE MESSIAH

 Virginal Conception of Jesus. “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be
called[a] the Son of God (Lk. 1:35)”.
 Jesus as the “Anointed One”. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed
me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the
prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free (Lk. 4:18)”.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH

Acts 2:2-33. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled
the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that
separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When
they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their
language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking
Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes,
and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia
and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and
converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our
tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some,
however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews
and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was
spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will
dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those
days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth
below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon
to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by
miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with
the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from
the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because death couldn't keep its hold on him.
David said about him:

The Human Responding in Faith 37

 “‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried,
and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him
on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come,
he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the
dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses
of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy
Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

The Pentecost Event is an “Outpouring of the Holy Spirit” and which we consider the Birth of
the Church. A Church that exists by a “DIVINE CALL” (qahal, ekklesia) through the Holy Spirit
to:
a. VIVIFY her life of faith in the world
b. BEAR WITNESS on Jesus’ behalf
c. MOVE her into Mission and Ministry

CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
The BASIC ACTIVITY/INVOLVEMENT of the Holy Spirit in the whole process of creation as the
GIVER of LIFE. Jesus had PROMISED this to send when he’s gone to the Father as the
Paraclete (which means HELPER) to us. The Holy Spirit is a gift to us to instruct and teach us
in everything. A spiritual gift will allow us to related with Jesus and proclaim Him as our Lord
and to bear witness of his Good News.

Just as Jesus greeted his disciples with Peace, Shalom, the Holy Spirit greeted us with the
same and constantly reminds us to forgive, baptize, and teach.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my
name, will teach you all things and
will remind you of everything I have
said to you.”
John 14:16

The Human Responding in Faith 38

 ENABLING ASSESSMENT

INSTRUCTIONS: What are your realizations after reading the lesson. Write a short
reflection paper. Consider the following questions in your reflection (or realizations):
1. How does the Holy Spirit serve as ‘Paraclete’ in your life during the
pandemic time?
2. How do you consider the pandemic crisis an opportunity to grow in faith?
Grading Criteria
(upload your work in Schoolbook):
Organization of Ideas (10): ________
Depth of Reflection (5): ___________ TOTAL
Mechanics/Grammar (5): __________ /20

 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

SELF-CARE/ME-TIME

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Introspection: Compose a simple prayer to the Holy Spirit – a prayer for enlightenment and
protection.

CLOSING PRAYER: I will continue, O my God, to do all my actions for the love of you.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Human Responding in Faith 39

 Leader: Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.
(Pause in a moment of silence.)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Luke 15:11-24. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I
am no longer worthy to be called your son”.

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said
to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And
he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son
gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he
squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything,
a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went
and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into
his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs
ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants
have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go
to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and
before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your
hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a
long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced
him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against
heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the
father said to his servants, ‘bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and
put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and
kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again;
he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

SOME THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

1. Do you think of it as having a happy ending? Why or why not?
2. Do we see ourselves in any of the characters in the story? Which
one(s)? Why? What does that tell us about ourselves? How
comfortable, or uncomfortable, are we with that? Why?

The Human Responding in Faith 40

Opening Prayer: Lord, I commit my failures as well as my successes into your hands, and I
bring for your healing the people and the situations, the wrongs, and the
hurts of the past. Give me courage, strength, and generosity to let go and
move on, leaving the past behind me, and living the present to the full. Lead
me always to be positive as I ‘entrust the past to your mercy, the present to
your love, and the future to your providence’

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

 DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Write your Gospel reflection (personal journal) here based on the guide questions.

Gospel Reflection

The Human Responding in Faith 41

 1.5 HOURS

Lesson 4
Conversion: Renewed Person

Overview
Life is many things, but it is definitely not a flow chart. We prove it every
day. We deeply long for change, but formulas and seminars don't get it
done. The good news is, God is at work across the life span, encouraging us
and empowering us to overcome the hurdles of our past, the challenges of
our present and the fears of our future. Here we will present how
Conversion is very important in the life of every Christian.

The Renewed Person

(Responding in Faith)

The Human Responding in Faith 42

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

STARTING ACTIVITY

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Instructions: Mention the things you managed to change over the last 5 years of your life. Write
as many as could recall. Make a short description of each item.

LESSON PROPER
“Throw yourself into God’s arms. He will carry you when the road is rough.”
(Palm Sunday)

RELIGIOUS DESCRIPTIONS OF CONVERSION

The word conversion etymologically comes from the Latin verb “convertere” “convers”,
“conversion” which means in English “turned about” as in turning sinners to God, the act or
process of changing from one form, state, etc., to another. “It is the act or process of changing
from one religion, belief, political party, etc., to another”.

The Human Responding in Faith 43

The word conversion in its complex usage has so many descriptions in context. For social
scientists, it could mean a religious experience that believers consider strengthening their
faith and changing their lives. Traditional Christian groups such as Catholic, Orthodox,
Anglicans, Methodists, and Reformed Christians consider the term about baptismal
regeneration that once a person is baptized all past sins, including original sin, are washed
away and the person becomes justified before God. But for some Evangelical Christians, such
as Baptist and Pentecostals, they do not conform to such baptism as necessary for
conversion, but through the profession of faith is enough.

In the strict sense of the word conversion, most of the Christian denominations in our times,
has a unified theological and religious basis for the understanding that this term “is of divine
grace and power by which man, born of the flesh, void of all power to think, to will, or to do
any good thing, and dead in sin is through the gospel and holy baptism, were taken from the
state of the sin of wrath and spiritual death, and is incorporated into a state of the spiritual
life of faith and grace, rendered able to will and to do what is spiritually good, and specially
made to accept the benefits of redemption which is in Christ Jesus”.

It is the grace of God in the Holy Spirit that enables the believers or the Christian life to live a
righteous and faithful life in His spirit. Because the “Holy Spirit comforts, supports intercedes,
act as an advocate in times of human trials”. So, in this context of the discussion, conversion
becomes now relative to its users that it has something to do with religious meaning: an
adoption of one’s beliefs identified with a religious denomination by abandoning the former
adherence to faith and affiliation. Thus, in effect, “person undergoing conversion resolves to
a spiritual transformation as a fundamental change in the spiritual life to something sacred,
holy and new in life”.

BIBLICAL MEANING OF CONVERSION

“The concept of conversion in the Old Testament was generally known for "turning back" as
used in so many ways in the biblical tradition (1) It is referred to as nations turning to God in
the future (Is. 19:22 ). (2) It can also be described as Israelite returning to God for negatively,
failing to do so. Is. 6:10; 31:6; Jeremiah 3:10; Jeremiah 3:12; Jeremiah
3:14; Jeremiah:22; Amos 4:6; Amos 4:8; Amos 4:10; Zech 1:2-4. A good illustration of this
passage is Jeremiah 4:1-2, where the call is to return to God by letting go of idols”. God’s call
to His chosen people not to follow the ways and customs, false and empty rituals (Amos 5:21-
24), sinfulness (Hosea 4:1-3), of the foreigner and their conqueror, but instead, called them
to remember His “covenant”, follow His decrees and statutes for the reward of long life. He
gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment (Joel
2:13-14). “Thus, the passage that comes closest to its meaning is "convert" as in (Is. 55:7)
where the wicked are called upon to turn to God for mercy and forgiveness of sins”.

“In the New Testament conversion seems to summarize the call of the Church in response to
Jesus' commission to preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all the nations (Luke
24:43-47 )”. This calls of Jesus to conversion is an essential part of the proclamation of the
kingdom: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the
gospel” (Mk.1:15). In the Church’s preaching, this call is addressed first to those who do not
yet know Christ and his Gospel. Thus, baptism served as the first, principal, and fundamental

The Human Responding in Faith 44

prerequisites to the conversion of a Christian convert. For it is by faith in the Gospel and
baptism that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and
the gift of new life (CCC#1427).

This call of Jesus to conversion requires interior penance, like that of the prophets before him,
does not only aim first at outward works, “sackcloth and ashes,” fasting and mortification, but
at the conversion of the heart, an interior conversion. For without this spirit such conversion
and penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in
visible signs, gestures, and works of interior penance. Thus, interior conversion and
repentance become a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with
all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions
we have committed. At the same time, it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life,
with hope in God’s mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is
accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Father called animi cruciatus
(affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart) (CCC#1430-1431).

The interior form of penance for conversion in Christian life can be expressed in many and
various ways. Scripture and the Fathers of the Church insist above all on the three forms:
prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, which express conversion about oneself, to God, and others.
Alongside the radical purification brought about by baptism as a means obtaining the
forgiveness of sins: efforts of reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, concern
for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the intercession of the saints and the practice of charity
“which covers a multitude of sins. This kind of conversion is best accomplished in daily life by
gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right,
by the admission of faults to one’s brethren, fraternal correction, revision of life, the
examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering, endurance in
persecutions for the sake of righteousness. Taking up one’s cross each day and following
Jesus is the surest way of penance (CCC#1434-1435).

Luke 19:1-9. Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name
of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was,
but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a
sycamore-fig tree to see him since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot,
he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house
today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But
Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my
possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four
times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this
man, too, is a son of Abraham.

When Jesus entered the city of Jericho he met Zaccheus. He was a chief tax collector. A
person who wanted to see Jesus but finds it too difficult because of his small physical stature.
To do this he runs ahead and climbed a sycamore tree where Jesus finally was able to notice
him. Then Jesus stopped, called him, and invited him to come down for he wanted to visit his
house. The crowd present there reacted to this gesture of Jesus. They clamored why Jesus

The Human Responding in Faith 45

should associate with a sinner? Zaccheus promised Jesus to give his possession to the poor,
payback four times he had cheated them. Thus, Jesus uttered that salvation has come to this
house. His mission was to seek and save those who were lost.

CHRISTIAN MESSAGE
Jesus Is the Foundation of Our Christian Life. Christian Discipleship means ang pagsunod kay
Kristo – tracing Jesus’ footsteps in our time. This can happen only through man’s Conversion:
the first task/step to authentic discipleship, Which Means a Radical/Total Turning Around of
the Whole Person (which Involved Thinking, Willing, and Acting) from sin and a return/turning
home to God.

Likewise, Conversion requires acceptance of one’s sinfulness and the need for god’s offer of
mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, it is a BREAK from a kind of sinful life to set out to a new
path, that is by conforming to the image of Jesus in righteousness. For Christian Faith is for
living, a TRANSFORMATION OF SELF according to Jesus’ lifestyle

ENABLING ASSESSMENT

1. What do you think is the best way towards one’s conversion? Share
your insights.
2. Identify the most difficult moment in your process of conversion. Who
was the person(s), place, or event?

Grading Criteria
(upload your work in Schoolbook):
Organization of Ideas (10): ________
Depth of Reflection (5): ___________ TOTAL
Mechanics/Grammar (5): __________ /20

“There is a time for everything, and a

season for every activity under the
heavens”.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Human Responding in Faith 46

  DETACH PAGE FROM THE MODULE 

SELF-CARE/ME-TIME

Student’s Name: _________________________ Student ID Number: _____________

Introspection: Spend a moment and reflect on this song as you finished on this module session.

YOU ARE MINE

I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear.
You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, be still and know I am here.

I am hope for all who are hopeless, I am eyes for all who long to see,
In the shadows of the night, I will be your light, come and rest in me.

Refrain: Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.

I am strength for all the despairing, healing for he ones who dwell in shame,
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free, and all will know my name.

I am the Word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give.
I will call your name, embracing all your pain. Sand up, now walk, and live

Refrain: Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.

CLOSING PRAYER: I will continue, O my God, to do all my actions for the love of you.

St. John Baptist de la Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Human Responding in Faith 47

 LEARNING REFERENCES

Primary Reference:
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. (2005). Catechism for filipino catholics.
Makati: Word and Life Publications.
Compendium of the social doctrine of the church (2004
Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education. (1994). Catechism of the
Catholic Church (newsprint edition). Manila: Word and Life Publication
Handout of Mr. Lorenzo Centino, REED 111
New American Bible (NAB)
New National Catechetical Directory for the Philippines (2007)
Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education. (1994). Catechism of the
Catholic Church (newsprint edition). Manila: Word and Life Publication
Fairchild, Mary. "How Does the Bible Define Faith?" Learn Religions, Aug. 28, 2020,
[Link]/what-is-the-meaning-of-faith-700722.

Online Sources:

[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
tie-in-to-what-we-believe-as-catholics/
[Link]
[Link]

-oOo-

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