The Living Jesus Today: Constant Friend and Companion CHAPTER TEN
- Jesus set up the Church to continue his saving mission - Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples to go into the world and continue His work - Jesus expects the Church to be missionaries and ambassadors for Him and His Father -On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was sent to empower his followers to continue his work Jesus is Present in the Church
- The Church is the Body of Christ Jesus is the head, we are the members Baptism incorporates us into His body As individuals we are not alone when we gather together as a church - The Church is a Sacrament A visible sign of the hidden mystery and reality of salvation in Jesus Christ
- To love Jesus means simply that we must love everyone he loves Parable of the Good Samaritan tells that everyone, even our enemy, is our neighbor - Jesus identified himself with the lowly and the outcasts We will be judged by how we welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, and visit the sick or imprisoned - Our Christian faith requires us to find Christ in others Jesus is Present in Others
- Jesus instituted the sacraments so we can “stay in touch” with him - They are material symbols that use words, actions, and concrete signs to express the presence of the Lord - Sacraments are efficacious signs They bring about what they point to Jesus Meets us in Sacraments
Baptism: - Christ forgives original sins and all personal sins - Joins us to the Church, giving us a new birth into his life Confirmation: - Strengthens our faith commitment by giving us the Holy Spirit Jesus Meets us in Sacraments
Matrimony: - The Lord brings about a communion of love between a man and woman - A symbol of the union between Christ and his Church Holy Orders: - Christ calls men to serve the Church in his name and person by teaching, leading us in worship, and governing as a good shepherd
Anointing of the Sick: - Jesus sustains us spiritually and sometimes heals us physically - Gives strength to endure sufferings because of old age of grave illness - Forgives sin if the sick person could not receive forgiveness through Penance Jesus Meets us in Sacraments
- Penance and Eucharist are two sacraments that may be received as often as we want Penance: - Important way to meet Jesus and receive his healing touch of forgiveness for sins committed after Baptism - Contrition: the most important action of Penance - Many find a caring, sensitive Jesus in this sacrament Jesus Meets us in Sacraments
Eucharist: “Thanksgiving” - Central sacrament: it both celebrates and creates the Church - It represents the sacrifice of the cross— God’sincredible love for us - Reminds us to be Christ for others—“bread for the world” - Catholics believe Jesus is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine - Eucharist is our greatest source of strength Jesus Meets us in Sacraments
- Scriptures are the Word of God - They hand on the truth of God’s revelation - Central object of the NT is Jesus Christ Jesus Meets us in Scripture “The best thing we can do with God’s holy word is to know it in our heads, stow it in our hearts, sow it in the world, and show it in life.”
- Prayer is the secret ingredient to grow in a friendship with Jesus Four traditional forms: - Vocal: your own words or those of others - Meditation: thinking about God and his meaning for you - Affective: involves your feelings and imagination - Contemplation: resting in the Lord’s presence, simply enjoying God’s company Meeting Jesus in Prayer
- We must be aware that various producers have viewpoints that are not exactly in harmony with the New Testament - We must view these works critically, though they can often be a help in depicting the biblical world of Jesus’ time Jesus & Contemporary Cinema