CATECHESIS cat·e·che·sis /ˌkadəˈkēsəs/
Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission when He said, Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Matthew 28:18 (Catechesis: Teach the Faith)
JESUS OF THE GOSPELS
OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)
Oh my Jesus, Divine Word of the Father, as we read the Gospels, help us to know you more deeply, love you more tenderly, and follow you more closely. To you, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)
REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION
CCC 512 – 521The Mystery of Christ’s Life
CCC 522 – 534The Infancy and Hidden Life
CCC 535 – 540 Jesus’ Public Life
CCC 541 – 556 Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Gospels were written “that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that through that belief you may have life in His name.” John 20:31
The Gospels are a narrative of Christ’s earthly life and the revelation of the Father in the very person of Jesus Christ. “The Father and I are one. Who sees me sees the father.” John 10:30
Jesus’ hidden life in Nazareth in obedience to his mother and foster father fulfills perfectly the fourth commandment; “Honor your father and your mother.”
Jesus’ obedience is the undoing of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. His ordinary life as an apprentice carpenter and growing in wisdom and stature under the guidance of his earthly parents is our journey too.
Jesus’ public life began with his baptism by John. Though he was without sin, he submitted himself to his Father’s will and he, without sin, took on all the sins of the world. The Father responded in complete delight, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the “kingdom is at hand, repent. Jesus came to call sinners.“I came to call sinners, not the righteous.” Mark 2:17
The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor, the humble of heart, the poor in spirit, the meek of heart, those who humbly acknowledge their need and dependency on God. See the Sermon on the Mount (Beatitudes) Matthew 5
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY
Jesus challenges us, “One who loses his life will find it.” Matthew 10:39 We must give everything to God. Didn’t God give everything for us, even his very life on the cross of redemption? God must reign in our hearts.
Jesus did not come to eradicate all evil and suffering. Jesus came to free mankind from the greatest oppression of all, the bondage of sin.
At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus chose twelve ordinary men and sinners like ourselves to teach and train so they may participate in his mission to build the kingdom.
Simon Peter holds a significant place among these twelve apostles. “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Jesus entrusted a special authority to Peter to preserve and defend the faith. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT JOHN 20:22
This power of binding and loosing is the authority given to Peter and his successors to absolve sins, pronounce judgments on doctrines of faith, and make disciplinary decisions in the life of the Church. Jesus has promised that His Church will be protected from error in its teachings of faith and morals through the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of Life.
CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)
Jesus, Divine Savior, we believe that you came to earth to bring to the world your Divine Life, to save us from sin, and to make the world new again. We thank you for your mercy and love. Bless us with your peace and good will. Amen.
LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)
- What does it mean to me that everyone, even those I don’t like, are invited to enter the kingdom of heaven? Am I that generous?
- Read Matthew 25. Jesus tells us whatever we do to the least of our brethren we do to him. How can I do a better job performing the corporal works of mercy described in Matthew?
- We are also called to perform the spiritual works of mercy (CCC 2447) instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish the sinner, bear wrongs patiently, forgive offenses, comfort the afflicted and pray for the living and the dead. How well am I doing meeting these challenges?