In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be…John 1:1-2

In time, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you…  Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God…  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High! Luke 1:28

LUKE 2:1-20     THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD

In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled in a census.  So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town…Joseph and Mary too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem…While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son; Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.   The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.  The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people…Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord…Luke 2:2-8, suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praised God, saying:  “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests.”…

In Christ, God took on human attributes;  in Christ humans can now take on the divine qualities of mercy, love, insight, and immortality.  In exchange for the humanity He takes, the Incarnate Word gives us a share in his divinity. God is born in time so we can be reborn in eternity.  For to us a child is born… and his name shall be called  Wonder Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:1-7

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light!”

Isaiah 9:1-2

COMMENTARY

In Jesus’ own words He affirms He is that light. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12   Jesus is the Word made flesh…the Word Incarnate ….Through Him comes Life….

And this Life is the Light of the World ….darkness cannot keep out the Light….those who choose Light ….become children of the Light….and testify to the Light… Let us be people of the Light who walk in the Light and give witness to the Light everywhere we go!  AMEN!

THE CHILD JESUS

Before I take up Jesus’ public ministry in the next chapter, I must point out some very significant events that occurred when Jesus was a child.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born homeless (Mt.8:20) and then became a refugee with Mary and Joseph in flight to Egypt to avoid Herod’s infanticide of male children!

Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, was born in a borrowed manger, had no fixed address once he began his public ministry, and was buried in another man’s grave.  It is quite an irony; He, who made the universe, became a homeless person.

In the Old Testament “the glory of God left the temple” Ezekiel 10:18, at the time of the Babylonian occupation of Jerusalem.  God continues through his prophets during the seventy years of captivity in Babylon to promise the restoration of Jerusalem and its Temple.  God will be with His holy people again.

In the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple of Jesus in the New Testament, we celebrate God’s return to the Temple as witnessed by Simeon the prophet,” Now You shall dismiss your servant, in peace O Lord according to your word: for my eyes have seen your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for,  the confidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1

The Finding of the child Jesus in the Temple in Luke’s Gospel has some rich tidbits too. “”After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:46-47  At age twelve, Jesus is listening to teaching in the temple during Passover. But 20 years or so later, he is the Teacher in these same courts, and His many, many hearers are still struck with his insight and authority.

THE CHILD JESUS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE

 Jesus asks Mary and Joseph, ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he was saying to them.” The personal intimacy of the phrase “my Father” referring to God is unprecedented in Jewish literature.  It is this amazing claim of intimate filial relationship to the Father that gets him accused of blasphemy later in life John 10:29-39.

Jesus was sensing his call to obey the Father. But part of that obedience involved submitting to his parents: “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them” Luke 2:51. Jesus is “filled with wisdom” Luke 2:40, and yet he still grows in wisdom Luke 2:52. This passage covers the next two decades from age twelve until he is about 30 years of age and enters upon his public ministry.

As a boy. Jesus grew in wisdom (discernment) making choices leading Him to the Father. The grace of God was upon Him. By grace,  (Spirit of God upon Him) he was enabled to “grow in wisdom” like no other boy in history before or since.

In CHAPTER FOUR of THE STORY OF SALVATION I will take up Jesus’ public ministry.

JESUS HEALER, MIRACLE WORKER, TEACHER, SAVIOR

JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD

 John the Baptist has been baptizing in the River Jordan with water of repentance calling for repentance from sin, make straight the way of the Lord.  John proclaims he is not the Messiah but one will come after him who will baptize with water and Spirit for the forgiveness of sins.  John’s baptism does not forgive sins but the one who will come after him will.

 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God,^* who takes away the sin of the world.  He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me. John 29-30

“ After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son,^* with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17

 JESUS READS THE PROPHECY OF THE MESSIAH 

LUKE 4:16-21 THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME

“Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went, according to his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” 

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.  He said to them, “Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

 JESUS MIRACLE WORKER

 The miracles of Jesus show Jesus is not only powerful in word but also deed.  They fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah and others about the Messiah and His Divinity.  Also they demonstrate in a physical way Jesus’ love and compassion for those suffering the effects of sin in this world.  Miracles at the intercession of Jesus still occur today, look for them!

                  JESUS’ FIRST MIRACLE AT CANA

“There was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.  When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”  Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.”  His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”…  Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.  Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it.  And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine…. the headwaiter called the bridegroom  and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” JOHN 2:1-11

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.”

ONLY GOD CAN MAKE NATURE OBEY

JESUS REBUKES THE SEA

MARK 4:35-41

 In this passage we see not only Jesus’ human nature clearly.  Jesus was worn out and sleeping soundly and not awaken by the storm but by his disciples.  Then his divinity and glory showed forth as the winds and sea became calm.  Jesus can calm our storms too if we ask him.

 “On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.” Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 

 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”  The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”  They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

JESUS HEALER

 JESUS CURES EVERY DISEASE AND ILLNESS

“And as Jesus walked along, two blind men followed (him), crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” …the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him.  Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  And their eyes were opened….a demoniac who could not speak was brought to him, and when the demon was driven out the mute person spoke…Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness”. MATTHEW 9:27-38

JESUS RAISES PEOPLE FROM THE DEAD

“Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain…As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow…When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”  He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”    The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother….and they glorified God, exclaiming ….”God has visited his people.”  This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and to all the surrounding region.”  LUKE 7:11-23

 JESUS TEACHER

 Jesus taught on land and from boats, in synagogues, in towns and villages, everywhere he went He taught the love the Father had for his people.  He taught us how to pray, follow the commandments, who to follow, who to avoid.  He told us who ever sees Him sees the Father.  Jesus not only came to save us but to draw us more intimately into relationship with the Father.  He elaborated on the love of God and love of neighbor in the sermons on the mount and in the plain.   He taught the meaning of righteousness and blessedness and what it means to live in the kingdom of God. 

MATTHEW 5:1-12  THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.  He began to teach them, saying:  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted… Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy….  Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God…..

In the Bread of Life discourse, John 6:48, Jesus foretells the institution of the Eucharist.  Jesus will not leave us orphans but be with us in the tabernacles of the world to the end of time  At every Mass the Real Presence of Jesus is celebrated and offered once more to the Father in our name.

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE

….I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; …I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world….Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you…..  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”JOHN 6:48-59

WHO DO PEOPLE SAY I AM?

MATTHEW 16:13-20

 At Caesarea Phillipi, before heading to Jerusalem and the fulfillment of His mission, He asked his apostles if they understood yet who He is and what He is about to do.  Inspired by the Spirit, Peter speaks for the others and says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.  I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 

JESUS PREVIEWS HIS PASSION, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION ON HIS WAY TO JERUSALEM

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me..”  Luke 9:22

 Jesus always had a way to build up his apostles after sharing what might be called “tough love” so before going to Jerusalem Jesus shares a special glimpse  of “glory” on Mount Tabor, trying to assure them and us that in the end there will be a spectacular pay off if we just persevere along the Way!

  THE TRANSFIGURATION

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white…  And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, … While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them…Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” LUKE 9:28-36

CONCLUSION

Jesus  “did not cling to His divinity but emptied himself for us…. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,  of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

 In CHAPTER FIVE of THE STORY OF SALVATION I will take up Jesus’ Passion and Death

THE PASSION AND DEATH OF JESUS

 PREPARING FOR THE PASSOVER

 When the day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread arrived, the day for sacrificing the Passover lamb, Jesus sent out Peter and John, instructing them, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”LUKE 22:7

  Prior to Good Friday, there is Holy Thursday, celebration of the New Passover.  At Passover, deliverance from the slavery of the Egyptians is remembered.  At this Passover meal, Jesus, the lamb of God, proclaims a new Passover, the deliverance from sin and death.

 TAKE AND EAT; THIS IS MY BODY MATTHEW 26:26-30  

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN

In the Garden in Eden,  our first parents fell into sin.  Now there is a second Garden, Gethsemane, in the Mount of Olives.  Soon, mankind will be delivered from their sins.

 Jesus says to his apostles, “ Remain here and keep watch. My soul is sorrowful even to death; Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test”. Jesus goes apart a little to pray to His heavenly Father.  Every time Jesus returned from prayer he found his apostles asleep…Can you not watch with me!

Jesus returns to prayer, comforted by angels sent by the Father.  Jesus accepts His Mission from His Father, “not my will but thy will be done.” Jesus our Savior and Redeemer will deliver us from sin and death

.They came out to arrest Jesus like he was a robber, led by Judas his betrayer who betrayed him with a kiss.  Jesus showed no animosity to Judas but called him friend.  In chains they brought Jesus before the high priest where he was mocked, struck and spat upon

 Meanwhile in the high priest’s courtyard Peter denied he even knew Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Peter repented and wept bitterly.  The chief priests and elders condemned Jesus to death.

The Jewish leaders took Jesus before Pilate the Roman Governor because under Roman law the Jews had no right to carry out the death penalty. 

 The Roman Governor, Pilate, found no guilt in Jesus and tried to trade Jesus for another horrific revolutionary and murderer, Barabbas. Incited by the chief priests, the crowd cried out release Barabbas. Pilate feared the crowds, so he had Jesus scourged. 

 Meanwhile, Pilates’s wife had a dream that advised Pilate to have nothing to do with the fate of this innocent man.  But Pilate unlike St. Joseph foster father of Jesus ignored the inspiration of God to protect Jesus as Joseph had in his flight into Egypt.

 Once more, Pilate went out and said to crowd, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”  So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and a purple cloak. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”  The chief priests and the guards cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”

ECCE HOMO! BEHOLD THE MAN!

JOHN 19:1-6

 Still fearful of the crowd, but not wanting the blame, Pilate chose the ritual of washing his hands of this affair.  They cried out “let his blood be on us and our children” and so it was…

 There are many examples of irony here.  Jews are often accused of being “Christ killers” and have suffered the consequences for centuries.   We, of course know that while Jewish religious leaders may have been the occaision for Jesus’ death warrant, Jesus died to atone for the sins of the whole world.  Jesus redeems all of us.  His sacrificial blood washes over all…Jesus Christ Redeemer of the world!

 Jesus is led out to be crucified, carrying the crossbeam of the cross himself.  Because of the severe scourging at the pillar, Jesus soon falters and the soldiers force Simon who had just come into town from the country to assist. 

 At the place of the skulls (Calvary) where executions were frequently carried out, Jesus was stripped of his clothes, tearing the scourging wounds apart only increasing the pain.  The soldiers nailed his hands to the cross beam, attached the cross beam to the vertical beam already in place then nailed his precious feet recently washed with tears and hair of Mary of Bethany sister to Martha and Lazarus. The soldiers then cast lots for His discarded garments.

Jesus is mocked by those executed with him, the crowd, chief priests and elders. “He saved others; he cannot save himself.  Mark 15:29-39.  Jesus overcomes hate with love, death with his own life.  In some of His last words He continued to comfort and console his followers and us who follow Him today.

 “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:31; To the Good Thief who converted on the cross, “, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:40.  

 Before His death on the cross, Jesus looked on His mother and the disciple He loved and said, “Woman, behold, your son.”  Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” John 19:25-27 

 Bowing His head Jesus exspired, “it is finished, and giving a loud cry, Father into your hands, I commend my spirit.” When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39. 

The veil in the temple that divided the holy of holies from the people was torn in two; Jesus is the new temple of New Jerusalem.  God in the person of Jesus is now revealed to the whole world!

“They will look upon whom they have pierced…when I am lifted up, I will draw all things to me…who ever looks upon me and believes will be saved”

JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND BURIED

 Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Having bought a linen cloth, Joseph took Jesus down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 

 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid. Jesus descended to the dead to announce the good news…that  soon they will join Him in the exodus to eternal life…neither the tomb nor death will hold Jesus…He has conquered sin, and its sting, death…soon Jesus will rise in glory…!

 In CHAPTER SIX of THE STORY OF SALVATION I will take up JESUS KING OF GLORY

 

 

INTRODUCTION

The Passion, death, and the Resurrection of Christ are the central message in our salvation story.  The cross is the symbol of Christianity.  The cross is both disgrace and shame and glory and eternal life.  Our faith is grounded in paradox.  Those who would save their life will lose it, and those who lay down their lives will gain life.

On the first day of the week, Jesus will rise from the dead in all His glory.  He is risen!  Had He not arisen, our faith would be absurd.  Nothing we do would matter.  Jesus has fulfilled his mission from the Father.  He has redeemed us from our sins and opened the door to eternal life.

:Jesus is ALIVE!  He died that our sins may be forgiven…now He calls us to follow him to heaven…the risen Lord is not gone…He remains with us in the sacraments…in our faith…in our prayers…for those who follow Jesus…the same fate awaits…a glorious resurrection of our bodies on the last day…eyes have not seen…ears have not heard what await those who love Jesus…

   The Lord is Risen, Alleluia!

MARY MAGDELENE

THE FIRST TO SEE THE RISEN LORD 

Mary was weeping because she could not find her Lord…Jesus appears to Mary in his resurrected glorious state…Jesus addresses her, Mary…immediately she knew it is the Lord…gently Jesus admonishes her…she must not cling to him…go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”  Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,”JOHN 20:10-18

LUKE 24:13-31   ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

Now, that very day, two of the disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.   He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped.  Looking downcast, one of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem, who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?”  And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”

They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.  But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel”…

Jesus said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.  As they approached the village they urged Jesus to stay and have supper.

While at table Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. The two disciples of Emmaus set out at once for Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them… the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

APPEARANCE TO HIS APOSTLES

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples^* were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”JOHN 20:19-23

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN

AND HAVE BELIEVED

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them… Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”  Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”JOHN 20:24-31

 REFLECTION:…sometimes I am a doubting Thomas…blessed are those who have not seen and have believed…My Lord and My God…help my unbelief…Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God…trust in Jesus…through Jesus, I may have life…look for the signs…listen for that small voice in the heart…place my hands in Jesus’ hands…walk with Jesus…do not be unbelieving but believe…

JESUS ON THE SHORE AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. …The disciples are in a boat fishing…Jesus is on the shore…the disciples haven’t caught anything to eat…they are hungry…Jesus is hungry…He is not a ghost…He is truly risen and truly alive…cast your net on the other side and you will catch something, I will start the fire…they ate breakfast together…shared a meal and shared their love for one another in community…we will know him in the breaking of the bread…JOHN 21:1-14 

    SIMON, DO YOU LOVE ME?  YES, LORD. 

FEED MY LAMBS.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”   He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”  He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

JOHN 21:15-19,24-25

REFLECTION:

Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him to allow Peter to make amends for his three denials….Peter asserts his love for Jesus, vigorously….the results…Peter will shepherd Jesus’ church….Jesus predicts Peter’s martyrdom for love of Christ…those who follow Christ must pick up their crosses…in so doing they will give glory to God…and will share in the glory of Jesus’ resurrection…

COME FOLLOW ME!

  JESUS IS TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”  “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

You are witnesses of these things. And (behold) I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with the Holy Spirit from on high….. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age…clothed with the Holy Spirit…pray with great joy, always…I do not leave you orphans… As he blessed them, He parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God. LUKE 24:44-53 

St. John tells us at the end of his Gospel, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 

There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.  But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.  

 I have included a few of Jesus’ appearances after His Resurrection from the dead.  Besides the women and apostles according to St. Paul in First Corinthians Chapter 15 Jesus appeared to more than 500 brethren before ascending to Heaven.

CONCLUSION

The next Chapter, Chapter 7, will conclude the blog, STORY OF SALVATION.  It is titled NEW JERUSALEM. “The Lord God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, will serve as temple and light, providing for every need of the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem”.

“the Holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God”

REVELATIONS 21:10

 Jesus never intended to leave us orphans but on the Rock Peter He made Peter Prime minister of His kingdom, custodian of His church, and Shepherd of His Flock.  In Chapter Seven we will see how this new born church from His very side on Calvary begins to take root and flourish under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the advocate and Sanctifier through the Sacraments instituted by Christ and ministered by successors of Peter.  It all comes together in the Book of Revelations at the wedding feast of the Lamb.                                                                                                         

INTRODUCTION

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRITY ADVOCATE AND SANCTIFIER

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid… I will not leave you an orphan… The Spirit will teach you…inspire you…remind you of my word…and call to mind your sins that you may be reconciled and live… He will teach you through my church and proclaim the good news…I have so much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it all at once…trust me…trust the Holy Spirit who will guide you to all truth… you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” John 16:7-16

 The quotes above from Acts and Gospel of St. John shows our salvation story goes on beyond Jesus’ Ascension into heaven.  The promise of the Advocate is fulfilled in St. Luke’s account in the Acts of the Apostles.

 PENTECOST

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind,^* and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,  as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.  ACTS 2:1-4

After receiving the Holy Spirit the Apostles went outside the Cenacle and began proclaiming the Good News to people of all nations, ethnicity, and languages and all understood in their own language.

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them.

“You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem….. You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.

 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it….God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you  see and hear….Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified….

 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day….ACTS 2:22-28

EARLY CHRISTIANS LIVING IN COMMUNITY

 “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers….many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”   ACTS 2:42-45

 FIRST MARTYR FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD

 After the crucifixion, the apostles began to champion a new faith in Jesus and the ranks of the Jesus movement (known as “the Way”) swelled to 3,000 Jewish converts. At first, these followers were distinctly Jewish, following Mosaic Law, Temple traditions and dietary customs.

Early Christians were persecuted for their faith at the hands of both the Jews  and the Romans who controlled many of the lands across which early Christianity was spread.

Early Christians expected suffering. Christ had died on the cross, so there was no higher honor than to imitate that death through accepting martyrdom.

“They threw Stephen out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.  As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep “Acts 7:58-60
On that day, there broke out a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside except the apostles.  Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him. Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church;^* entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment.  Acts 8:1-3

THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY AFTER CHRIST

The Book of Acts details the spread of Christianity through missionary disciples like Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Phillip through such places as Macedonia, Judea, Galilee, Samaria and of course Peter, John, and James  in Jerusalem.

Later, came the Gentile members of the mixed Jewish-Greek church in Antioch and the many pagan converts of Paul in Syria, Asia Minor and Greece.  With Gentile conversion, the Jewish monopoly in the new movement came to an end. Jewish and Gentile Christianity was born.  Acts 11:19–24

It was in Antioch that the Jesus movement was first called Christianity.  Ultimately Peter and Paul brought Christianity to Rome where they met their fate of martyrdom.

As Gentiles joined the Jesus movement, focus on Jewish law decreased. Jewish Christians in Jerusalem participated in separate Jewish services from the gentile Christian population, and while the two groups agreed on Jesus’ message and importance, the separate rites and communities led to increasing division between the two groups.

In fact, Paul contacted the Apostle, James, Bishop of Jerusalem, to call a council together to decide if one had to abide by all the Jewish rites to become a Christian.

Chapter 15 of the book of Acts relates the decision of the Council of Jerusalem. This is considered the first ecumenical council of the Church.

The purpose of the Council, according to Acts, was to resolve a disagreement within the Early Christian community between those led by James who believed the church must observe the rules of traditional Judaism and Paul of Tarsus, who believed there was no such necessity.  The primary issue in dispute related to the requirement of circumcision.  James and the Council sent Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch with the following message.

It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.  Acts 15:28-29

Within a few hundred years, the small religious movement called Christianity became the dominant religion of Europe and the Western world. Roman Emperor Constantine ended persecution of Christians in Roman Empire. (313)

 CHRISTIANITY TODAY

 Recent polling on religious affiliation shows of those polled 25% have no religious affiliation.  The largest group of those polled, other than Catholics, is former Catholics.

All Christian denominations are losing their followers.   As the title of my blog says I am still Roman Catholic after all these years.  Why?  First, Scripture tells me that Christ built His Church upon Peter and his successors.

 “I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matt. 16:16-19

 The Catholic Church still observes the Mosaic law of the Ten Commandments that Christ came to fulfill. We have the teachings of Jesus and His church to refer to in our daily living.  The Magisterium of the Church (teaching authority) which relies on Sacred Scripture (written word) and Sacred Tradition (spoken word) allows us to refer to experts as we form our consciences in matters of faith and morals.

We have the Sacraments of the Catholic Church that dispenses grace for every situation whether we are just starting out in our Baptism, adopted children of God, need a little boost in our faith, Confirmation, need a little cleansing of the soul, Penance, and daily refueling of grace Eucharist.  

 If we decide to marry, we really need the grace of sacrament of Marriage until death do us part.  Finally, when it is time for us to pass to our eternal home, the Church sends us off with the Sacrament of Anointing with these words,

“Go forth Christian soul from this world in the name of God, the Almighty Father who created you.  In the name of Jesus, the Son of the Living God who suffered for you.  In the name of the Holy Spirit who was poured out upon you…May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth.   May Holy Mary, the angels and all the saints come to meet you…May you see your Redeemer face to face….”

 THE SPIRIT BRINGS US HOME TO THE HEAVENLY BANQUET

 According to the Apostle and Evangelist, St. John, it all comes together in Book of Revelations, the wedding feast of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem. The light that shines on this heavenly Jerusalem is the love of God that has transfigured the created order. All creation, every human being, every stone, everything was made for praise of God.

 The Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus, is the spirit of divine love that now descends on the created order, bringing creation back to God.  We are baptized in the Spirit. We pray through the Spirit.

The Spirit, through the life of the Church, is active here and now.

 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away… I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.  He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain; the old order has passed away… “Behold, I make all things new.” REVELATIONS 21:1-3

THE KINGDOM COMES

EPILOGUE

This blog, STORY OF OUR SALVATION, is now complete.  Of course, our part in the story is not. We know we exist because God loved us into existence. We all have a mission.  We are here for a purpose.  The world is billions of years old.  It is now our time to play our part.  Do we know our part?

As we enter stage left and exit stage right what is our role;  Who are we here for?  Who do I meet, interact with, why this person and not that person?  I may have only a walk on part, but if I don’t play my part, what happens…does the play tumble into chaos for awhile….until God intervenes with a new script as He did in the Garden of Eden…

God that intends for us to know Him on this earth and be with Him for all eternity in the next.  I know the difference faith in God has made in my life.  God never asks more than we can give.  Trust in God! He is never outdone in generosity.