Paschal Mystery Section Two: Jesus’ Mystery is Revealed

Article 15 Why the Word Became Flesh

Incarnation: Place and Time  It is not only important that the Word was made flesh but that the Word was made flesh in a specific place and time.  First Century Palestine

Reasons for the Incarnation  To reconcile us  That we might know the depths of God’s Love  To show us what it means to be fully human  To help us be Images of God  To overcome the power of sin

The Word, The Wisdom  From the Beginning  For the L ORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Pvbs 2:6  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. Pvbs 3:18  The L ORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. Pvbs 8:22-23  And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments. Wisdom of Sol 9:9

Article 17 The Luminous Mysteries

Luminous = Light  These five Gospel events show Christ as being the light of the world particularly well  The Baptism in the Jordan River  The Wedding at Cana  The Proclamation of the Kingdom  The Transfiguration  The Institution of the Eucharist See the table on page 73 for more information.

The Kingdom of God  “Each of these mysteries is a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of Jesus.” – Pope John Paul II  What is meant by Kingdom?  “Reign of God” is actually more apt.  The full realization of the Reign of God is the end result of God’s saving plan  Protoevangelium Reign of God

Jesus’ Baptism  Why was John baptizing?  Concerning baptizing, how is John different than Jesus?  What happens when Jesus is baptized?  What is the ultimate revelation in Jesus'’ baptism?

The Wedding at Cana  Jesus’ first miracle and beginning to his public ministry  Miracles = signs of the KoG  John used the Greek word semeion (sign) for miracle  Symbolism of water into wine  The best is yet to come  The KoG is generous  We (the wedding guests) are of great value  “…and his disciples began to believe in him.” (John 2:11)

The Proclamation of the Kingdom  Prophets preached about the coming of the messiah and a Kingdom of God – the restoration of original holiness and original justice.  KoG = Jesus’ experience of God  Not a campaign or a program  Building the KoG was His response to God

The Transfiguration  All three synoptic Gospels share this story  Matt, Mark, and Luke  Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on the Mountain to meditate. Christ is transformed  accompanied by Elijah and Moses  “This is my beloved Son, whith whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

The Institution of the Eucharist  All three synoptic Gospels, Paul’s First letter to the Corinthians, and strongly implied in John’s Gospel  Passover Meal  Transubstantiation  Eucharist  The Mass is a celebration of the Eucharist

Christ's Obedience Freedom through Listening to God

Redeeming Adam’s Disobedience  To whom did Adam listen when he ate from the tree of knowledge?  Romans5:19  The disobedience of one results in the sin of all. Christ’s obedience results in the salvation of all.  The Incarnation = greatest act of Christ’s obedience  The Word takes a human form.

Jesus’ Model of Obedience  Being that Jesus is the model of being fully human, He is also our model of obedience to others and to God  Christ was obedient to his parents (Luke2:51)  A deeper meaning behind this simple idea is that we all have to be obedient and respectful other people in our lives; God works through other people.  Christ was perfectly obedient to His Heavenly Father  Gethsemane Matt 26:42; Luke 22:39-46  We should never assume obedience came easy to Jesus

Obedience makes us more free.  We are not meant to be controlled, like a puppet, by God.  Because our deepest desires are the same as God’s deepest desires for us, when we are obedient to God we are more free to be ourselves.  Peter 1:14-16 (p.84)  14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” [a]a  “…Nothing is impossible to holy obedience.”  St. Xavier

Obedience and Discernment  I must be obedient to God’s will but how to I find God’s will?  Discern = to find.

Jesus’ Moral Teaching

Moving beyond a legalistic conscience  Jesus heals on the Sabbath, Mark 2:23 - 3:6  Briefly explain why the Pharisees have a legalistic conscience?  What does Jesus mean when he says “Sabbath is not meant for the Sabbath…”

Jesus Heals  Jesus healings, exorcisms, powers over the forces of nature are a major part of all four Gospels.  They are signs of Christ bring about the KoG  What He does, not only what He says  Luke – Jesus quotes Isaiah 61  Preview of His healing ministry  18 “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, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  John – the author of John refers to His miracles as signs “semeion”

Jesus Heals – Miracles and Ministry of the Kingdom  “The Key to understanding the purpose of the gospel miracle tradition is Jesus’ proclamation of the coming [KoG].”  Jesus’ compassion moves him to heal  Speak up for outcast… ID with the outcasts… Heal the outcasts  What does Jesus do to people before he heals them (in all instances but one)?

Jesus Heals – Miracles and Ministry of the Kingdom  He touches them!  What is the significance of Him touching people like lepers?  Why touch then heal and not heal then touch?  How does this tell us to act or think concerning the outcast in our lives?