The Essential Jesus

1. The Essential Jesus The Infancy Narratives & the Baptism of Jesus

2. Assignments • (due Mon., 4/11) Print out PPt notes (3/pg w/ lines for notes; Read pp. 82-87 > “…our ordinariness”; RQs 1-7, p. 91 • (due Weds., 4/27) Read pp. 87-90; RQs 8-12, p. 91 • (due Thurs., 4/28) Read pp. 91-97; RQs 1-5, p. 97 • (due Fri., 4/29) Read JPII quotes, choose a favorite, and write 1 pgph. reflection

3. Assignments • (due Weds., 5/4) Read pp. 97-100; do “Miracles” exercise on pp. 100-101. • (due Fri., 5/6) Read pp. 101-103; RQs on p. 103

4. Assignments • (due ., 4/12) Parent Interview: • Why is Xmas celebrated on Dec. 25th? • What is the most important meaning of Christmas? • Written summary of parents’ response/reaction

5. Assignments • (due ., /) / Activity 2, p. 127 (Add: Has your Confirmation been a real, mature “owning” of your faith? Why or why not?) • (Tues., 5/10) TEST on Ch. 3 • Review Questions • Notes (Netclassroom) • Ppt notes

6. Assignments • (due ) All preps complete for classes on Gospels • (due ) Mark • (due ) Matthew • (due ) Luke • (due ) John

7. “Infancy Narratives” • In Matthew & Luke only… why? • Early Christians’ preaching (kerygma) about the Risen Christ focused on • Death and resurrection • Life, teachings & deeds/miracles • Only later are Christians interested in birth/childhood of Jesus • Mark: earliest Gospel; pre-dates this interest

8. Ancestry of Jesus Conception of Jesus Born in Bethlehem Visit of the Magi Escape into Egypt Slaughter of Innocents Return to Nazareth in Galilee Jesus’ & John’s births foretold Annunciation VisitationMagnificat Birth/circmcsn of John Benedictus J the B’s “hidden life” Birth of Jesus Visit of Shepherds Presentation in Temple Jesus’ “hidden life” Jesus at 12: lost in Temple Matthew Luke

9. “Infancy Narratives” • Matthew: Jewish audience • Joseph’s perspective (descendant of David) • Features Joseph, Herod, Magi & flight into Egypt: Why? • Luke: Outcast Gentile audience • Mary’s perspective (lowly/woman, etc.) • Features Mary, Shepherds, Simeon: Why?

10. The Betrothal (Mt. 1:18-25) • Jewish betrothal • A blessing of the relationship • Official commitment as binding as marriage • Lasted one year • Broken only by a divorce

11. The Annunciation (Lk. 1:26-38) • Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to conceive and bear a Son • “angel” from Gk. = Messenger/ bringer of news • Pictured as ray of light: why? • NOT the “Immaculate Conception”

12. The Annunciation • Mary • Probably young teenager • Completely surrenders to God: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me as you say.”

13. Coming of the Messiah • Means “the Anointed One” • Ie. The King (“King of kings”) • Hebrew= mesch’iah • Greek= christos • Jesus the Christ… the Anointed One of Israel

14. The Visitation (Lk.1:39-80) • Mary visits Elizabeth • Shows Mary’s love/ unselfishness • Parallels between Elizabeth/John the Baptist and Mary/Jesus

15. Joseph’s Dream • In Matthew, Joseph is visited by an “angel” in dream • He, the faithful Jew, takes care of everything “according to the Law”

16. Why Bethlehem? • Roman Census • Tension between Herod & Roman emissaries: census unpopular (“We should have no ruler except the Lord!”)

17. Why Bethlehem? • Joseph of David’s line • Bethlehem= David’s city • Prophecy: “For you, Bethlehem, are in no way the least among the cities of Judah, for from you shall come forth a shepherd of my people Israel.” (Micah 5:2)

18. The Birth of Jesus • “Nativity” from Latin nativitas=birth • “Christmas” from Old English Christes Maesse = the Mass of Christ • Not originally a feast

19. The Birth of Jesus • Date unknown • Dec. 25 may be end of “Saturnalia”, Roman feast of the “birth of the Sun” • For more: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm

20. The Presentation • Circumcision: initiated child into community • Presentation: consecration (making holy/ setting apart/ making special) of firstborn unto God • Purification: of mother, after birth

21. Visit of Magi • Midrash? • Gifts symbolize Christ as: • Priest (incense) • King (gold) • Prophet who will suffer for message (myrrh)

22. Baptism of Jesus • John the Baptist • Link between Old & New Testament • Last of OT Prophets • Prepared People for coming of the Messiah

23. Baptism of Jesus • Baptism for repentant sinners • Jesus is baptized for our sins • Jesus “like us in all things, except sin.”

24. Baptism of Jesus • “Confirmation” of Jesus… “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” • Shows presence of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)

25. Temptation of Jesus • Immediately after Baptism • Desert = Trial/struggle • Tempted away from: • Suffering • Serving • Submission only to the Father

26. Beginning of Ministry • “Inauguration” in synagogue (a “bringing together”/ gathering) • Clear prophecy of Messiah • Why so hard to believe?

27. Jesus the Teacher • Teacher= rabbi (sometimes “Master” in film) • Core teaching= the coming of the “Kingdom of God” or “Rule of God”

28. Jesus the Teacher • Teacher= rabbi (sometimes “Master” in film) • Core teaching= the coming of the “Kingdom of God” or “Rule of God”

30. Miracles as “Signs” What are the miracles? • Teras = “marvel” • Dynamis = “power” • Semion = “sign” What is the most important part of the miracles? Of what are the miracles powerful signs?

31. Miracles as Proclamation • Jesus proclaimed God’s rule over • Sin (forgiveness of sinners) • Sickness (cures of illnesses) • Death (raising the dead) • Jesus proclaimed Himself as promised Messiah

32. Miracles as Invitations • Miracles open us… • to see… to hear… to experience… …the deeper, long-term meaning of Jesus • What is that meaning for you?

33. Responding to Jesus’ Miracles • Acceptance/ Faith • Rejection/ Disbelief • Impressed/ Apathy • What is your response? What do you “make” of Jesus’ miracles?