CHAPTER FOUR Jesus as Moral Guide

Jesus, the Son of God The only son of the Father Jesus is God Assumed our human nature while retaining his divine nature Savior of Humanity, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life Model of holiness who lived what he taught We are commissioned by Jesus to Serve each other and those who are hurting

God Incarnate Jesus was truly man. He was like us in every respect, even tempted as we are, yet he never sinned. Jesus Is Our Moral Norm

Jesus’ Teaching Jesus Is Our Moral Norm Greek term for repentance, a turning away from sin with the intention of living a Christian life. metanoia

Jesus’ Teaching Jesus Is Our Moral Norm God’s peace, justice, and love that was proclaimed by Jesus and inaugurated in his life, death, and resurrection. It refers to the process of God reconciling all things through his Son, to the fact of his will being done on earth as in heaven. The process has begun with Jesus and will be perfectly completed at the end of time. Kingdom of God (or reign of God)

Called to Beatitude beatitude An attitude guiding us to follow Jesus more closely in order to achieve holiness and happiness.

Called to Beatitude In the Beatitudes, we learn the how of our Christian vocation. The Beatitudes depict Christ; they reveal his love. They teach us the goal of our very existence – to become partakers of God’s own divine nature and sharers in eternal life. Our teacher for learning morality and the way to true happiness is Jesus himself.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven The Beatitudes All we have and all we are is a gift from God. We are totally dependent on God.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted The Beatitudes Those who mourn are with God and can move them to lend a helping hand to those who suffer.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. The Beatitudes People who are humble and treat others with respect, understanding, and compassion.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. The Beatitudes Christian’s desire for high ideals and goals, striving to do God’s will.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. The Beatitudes We must forgive others, even our enemies.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. The Beatitudes People who are single-hearted, undivided in their loyalties, without fakery or pretense.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. The Beatitudes We are called to work to settle disputes, to root out violence, to forgive and show compassion.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The Beatitudes To stand up for what is right, especially in the face of mockery, rejection, verbal and physical abuse.

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The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Jesus Is the Fulfillment of the Law Jesus fulfills the Mosaic Law by emphasizing its spirit and intent rather than stressing a strict interpretation of the “letter” of the law. Jesus perfects the Old Testament Law by intensifying it and by setting a higher standard – the law of love.

Jesus is Our Moral Norm Jesus’ Teaching The Eucharist celebrates Jesus’ Paschal mystery. Our celebration of it with other Catholic believers enables us to enter into the mystery it represents for us. In the Liturgy of the Word, we are challenged to take the good news to heart and live it in the present on our journey to the Triune God. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit prays through us as we thank and praise God for all he has accomplished for us through Christ Jesus. At the end of Mass, we are sent to love and serve the Lord.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus, the New Moses Jesus on Good Works, Prayer, and Trust Jesus calls his followers to perform religious works of almsgiving, praying, and fasting. We should do these actions humbly and with the purest of motives.

Justification, Grace, Merit, and Holiness Justification The Holy Spirit’s grace that cleanses us from our sins through faith in Jesus Christ and baptism. Justification makes us right with God.

Merit and Holiness We must cooperate with the many graces God gives to us to live upright, holy lives so we can merit the reward God has in store for us. The source of all merit is the love of Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice has won us everything. Christ calls everyone to holiness. Holiness requires self-denial and prayer Justification, Grace, Merit, and Holiness

Discipleship The mandate of all baptized Christians to follow Jesus and participate in his role as priest, prophet, and king. discipleship