Section 2Jesus Christ’s Mission is Revealed

Section 2, Part 2The Redemptive Nature of Christ’s Earthly Life

Introduction The Father’s saving plan is fully revealed through his Son Jesus and

fully understood through the Holy Spirit Every action of Jesus is revelatory Part 2 of Section 2 focuses on the words and deeds of Jesus during his

life that precede his Passion but already begin the mystery Redemption

Section 3 will look at the final words and deeds of Jesus at the end of his life during his Passion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension

Five Articles A. 17 -- The Luminous Mysteries A. 18 -- The Poverty of Christ A. 19 -- The Obedience of Christ A. 20 -- Christ’s Moral Preaching A. 21 -- Christ’s Healings

Article 17: The Luminous Mysteries Apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae in 2002 by JPII Luminous—definition, explanation of name, and content Kingdom of God—definition & relation to mysteries of light and Jesus Rosary = vocal and mental prayer—contemplation 1) The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River

All four Gospels; fulfills Isaiah Jesus’ cousin John Baptism of repentance vs. sacramental Necessary for Jesus? Why? Trinitarian revelation

2) The Wedding Feast at Cana Only John; first of seven signs Story and significant details First public miracle; beginning of public ministry Mary’s role; the disciples role

Article 17 cont.: The Luminous Mysteries 3) The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

Many teachings and miracles in all four Gospels Kingdom of God is already present in the person of Jesus Christ He is the fulfillment of all the OT Messianic prophecies Proper response is to repent and believe

4) The Transfiguration of Jesus In all synoptic Gospels after Jesus reveals that the Messiah will suffer and die Inner circle on Mount Tabor Christ, Moses, and Elijah, sun and clouds and voice Strengthen the disciples for Passion and future disciples after

5) The Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper In all synoptic Gospels, 1 Cor., and implied in John Passover meal before his death = first Eucharist/Mass–instituted Fulfillment of the OT Passover and Paschal Lamb Eucharist is heart & soul of Paschal Mystery so Mass is heart & soul of XTN life

HomeworkRe-edit Section 2, Part 2 HW #’s 1-2 if

necessary

Re-read AA. 18-19 in the e-book for discussion tomorrow if necessary

Article 18: The Poverty of Christ Jesus’ poverty teaches us about God’s plan of redemption/Redeemer First century Judea had 2 social classes not 3 like us today

Elites vs. non-elites (enslaved better than self-employed) Cash crops vs. subsistence crops

Jesus embraced poverty throughout the Gospels Mary and Joseph, Bethlehem, desert temptation, scribe, final judgment Mother Teresa—wealth makes it difficult to see God but if you have the gift use

it to help others Why did Jesus embrace poverty rather than try to escape it?

Cultural misunderstanding of wealth—Gospel of Wealth today Universal distribution of goods—rich young man, Lazarus, final judgment,

dinner, wedding banquet, … Then who can be saved: Poverty of Heart or Spiritual Poverty—(chart)

Relationship between spiritual poverty and material poverty Very delicate subject and root of true freedom

Article 19: The Obedience of Christ Why is obedience, like poverty but for different reasons, a touchy topic Compare and contrast Jesus with Adam and Eve’s obedience

Rm. 5: 19 and Philippians 2 What does Jesus’ obedience mean for us

Human relationships--below Mary and Joseph—Lk. 2

Divine relationships—same level or above Passion—Mt. 26

Greatest act of human freedom—freedom from own self 1 Pt. 1

What are some ways you are being called to obedient in your own daily life Which ones come easily; why Which ones are particularly challenging; why

HomeworkRe-edit Section 2, Part 2 HW #’s 3-5 if

necessary

Read AA. 20-21 in the e-book for discussion tomorrow

Article 20: Christ’s Moral Preaching Even more controversial that the poverty or obedience of Christ

Why? What part most challenging for you? Relationship between OT Old Law and NT New Law

Role of Jesus and the Holy Spirit—fulfillment and living Purification of conscience

Legalism versus community Summary of the New Law—Dt. 6 in Mk. 12: God & neighbor but who? Essence of New Law in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7)

Outline 3 examples of OT letter to NT spirit—epikeia

Mt. 5: 21-22—murder to anger: temptation vs. sin Mt. 5: 27-28—adultery to lust: avoidance vs. chastity/celibacy Mt. 5: 43-44—love of neighbor to enemy: trust over fear to everyone

“Then who can be saved?”—simple, difficult, possible—love not like

Article 21: Christ’s Healings Human experiences of being sick—no fun, foreshadowing of death Not God’s original plan but result of Original Sin Jesus responded by healing blind, deaf, lame, mute, possessed, lepers, sick,

and even dead Sign of the Kingdom of God, Messiah (prophecies), Father’s plan being fulfilled,

and foretaste of heaven (wholeness of mind, body, and spirit) Why didn’t Jesus heal everybody though? (more and redemptive)

Cultural understanding of sickness vs. Jesus’ understanding vs. today’s Relationship between evil and sickness Exorcism—Jesus and today Modern psychology and wellness movement—mind, body, spirit but detached

History of Catholic Church extending Christ’s Healing Ministry Sacrament of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick Doctors, nurses, chaplains, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice, …

Homework p. 93; 6-9

Study for the Section 2, Part 2 Quiz (AA 17-21) tomorrow

Make sure the Section 2, Part 2 HW (p. 93; 1-9) is ready to turn in tomorrow