Jesus & His Church His Mission Continues

The Great Commissioning The final command Jesus gave to all of his followers, to spread the “Good News” of God’s plan for salvation to the whole world. – Mt. 28: 19-20: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Evangelization Spreading the “Good News” by word and action – Continue the mission of the apostles – Church continues the mission through the sacrament of Holy Orders. – Witnessing to what Jesus said and did by the way we live as an example to others Not “proselytizing” – Forcing your beliefs on others – Badgering someone with your beliefs

Pentecost and the New Age The Holy Spirit’s descent on the Apostles on the feast of Pentecost begins the “New Age” of the Church Descent of the Spirit – Strong wind (power) – Tongues of fire (passion) – Gift of tongues (universality) Old Jewish feast of Pentecost takes on a new meaning – Old-> gift of the Law – New-> gift of the Spirit Help on the Journey

Church Revealed Church is fully revealed by the arrival of the Holy Spirit God began the Church at creation, He formed the Church with Abraham, Jesus inaugurated the Church by his teaching, healing and his death, resurrection and ascension; The Church is born at Pentecost Christ’s ministry is continued through the Church – The Church is Christ’s visible presence in the world

Fulfillment of the Mission Jesus ascends and is not physically present with his followers – Exits time and space so that He is available to all at all times The Holy Spirit helps the apostles continue the work of Jesus. They experience his power at the Pentecost – Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, awe, reverence, courage, counsel Revelation of the “Body of Christ”, the Church whose mission is to complete Jesus’ ministry – The Church becomes the “Body of Christ” with Jesus as its head

The Church The Church is the – Goal: all faithful gathered together in unity with one another with God in heaven (Church Triumphant) – Means: the channel through which God accomplishes his plan (Church militant) Marks or characteristics of the Church OneOne Lord, one founder, one faith, one people HolyJesus is “unfailingly” holy therefore the Church is holy CatholicUniversal mission to all, all one body with Christ as head Apostolic Built on the foundation of the apostles with Christ as the corner stone, Apostolic succession- authority passed on to the bishops

The Sacraments Efficacious and visible signs of God’s invisible grace, instituted by Jesus Christ. True encounters with Christ which give us real grace (the gift of God that empowers us to respond to his call and to live as his children) Seven Sacraments – Initiation; Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation – Healing;Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick – Ministry;Matrimony, Holy Orders

True Presence in the Eucharist Jesus is uniquely present when we celebrate the Eucharist – In the gathered assembly “Whenever two or more are gathered together in my name, I am with them” – In the priest Makes the sacrifice of Jesus’ death present again for our salvation – In the Word Jesus speaks to us in the reading of his “word” – In the consecrated bread and wine Transubstantiation; Jesus is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine

Church as Teacher Jesus was a master teacher, rabbi. The Church continues Jesus’ role. – Church leaders are able to speak with the same authority as Jesus did because the Church is Christ’s body and that authority is passed on from Jesus to his apostles to their successors, the bishops Magisterium: the teaching office of the Church that consists of the bishops and the Pope – Infallibility: A gift from Jesus to his Church that says that when the Pope issues a pronouncement “ex cathedra” his words are considered without error; it is the same when the bishops speak as one body

Community of Faith Baptism makes us a member of the Body of Christ and as such we are called to participate in the Church’s mission. – Vocation: We are each called to a specific lifestyle in which we participate in this mission Ordained (hierarchy) – Receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders – Bishops, Priests, Deacons Laity – Married, single Consecrated – Religious communities » Vows: solemn promises of poverty, chastity and obedience

Mary’s Unique Role Mother of the Church, Intermediary – John: 19:26, “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom He loved, H said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother’. From that hour the disciple took her into his home.” Mary, His mother John, the Church – Apparitions of Mary Lourdes, Guadalupe, Fatima, etc. – Devotions: Mary is honored and revered NOT WORSHIPPED Rosary Miraculous medal First Saturdays 13 th of the month