Jesus’ Public Ministry

SFX RCIA 2014/ 2015

“No one has ever seen God; it is only the Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” John 1:18

“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9

He lives in the most intimate unity with the Father.

The mystery of the Son as revealer of the Father is present in everything that Jesus says and does.

Again and again in the Gospels we read that Jesus withdrew to pray, to converse with the Father.

Jesus brings us face to face with God who is able to act concretely in the world and in history.

This is the starting point; the central truth…

Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth Luke 4: 16 - 30

Refers to His anointing by the Spirit.

Proclaims His “mission statement”.

Describes His mission as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth Luke 4: 16 - 30 His message is good news, a gospel

of joy.

His ministry is one of healing.

Jesus’ ministry is a ministry of hope.

Jesus’ ministry is one of light.

Jesus’ ministry is one of freedom.

His ministry is one of restoration.

Mark 1:14 “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” Matt 4: 23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

The Kingdom of God / The Kingdom of Heaven.

The Kingdom of God / The Kingdom of Heaven. The good news of what God’s love is doing

in the world and what will happen if people respond to God’s love by listening to God’s word and aligning their will with the will of God.

Everyone is called to enter the Kingdom.

One only has to be willing to make the radical choice to give up everything, accept Jesus’ word and follow Jesus.

The Kingdom of God / The Kingdom of Heaven. It is “already”

Jesus Himself is the Kingdom. It is “now”

- In each of us- In the Church

It is “not yet” Eschatalogical. An imminent, or yet to be established Kingdom, God’s sovereignty over the whole world at the second coming of Jesus.

Jesus and the presence of the Kingdom in this world areat the heart of the parables of Jesus. We must give everything. Words are not enough, deeds are required.

A method of teaching. Stories or narratives which present

realistic, meaningful and familiar situations.

Parables challenge the hearers to think; to ask themselves why such a story is being told.

Jesus challenges his hearers to a new mode of being in the world.

Once the parable has been understood the hearer perceives the connection between the story and their own reality and is challenged to change.

They induce us to look and our lives and make a decision about our futures.

The Parables of Jesus

The Parable of the Sower Luke 8: 4- 15

Parable of the Good Samaritan 10:25-37 Parable of the Rich Fool 12:13-21 Parable of the Mustard Seed 13:18-19 (see Ezekiel

17:22-24) Parable of the Great Dinner 14:15-24 Parable of the Lost Sheep 15:1-7 Parable of the Lost coin 15:8-10 Parable of the Prodigal Son 15:11-32 Parable of the Dishonest Manager 16:1-9 Parable of the Widow and Unjust Judge 18:1-8 Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector 18:9-

14 Parable of the Ten Pounds 19:11-27 Parable of the Wicked Tenants 20:9-19

Some other best-loved parables to read and ponder

The Miracles of Jesus

Jesus accompanied his words with wonders and signs which manifest that the kingdom is present in him and attest that he was the promised Messiah.

Definition: “Those happenings are properly called miraculous which are done by Divine agency outside the commonly observed order of things.” St. Thomas Aquinas.

Attest that the Father sent him. Invite belief in him. Flow out of his human capacity for

compassion. To those who turn to him in faith, he

grants what they ask. Miracles strengthen faith in the One

who does the Father’s work. They bear witness that he is the Son

of God.

Miracles

But miracles can also be occasions for “offence”.

They were not intended to satisfy people’s curiosity or desire for magic.

Despite his evident miraculous power, some people reject Jesus.

He is even accused of acting by the power of demons.

Miracles

Luke 5: 17 - 26 (According to Mark) Jesus is

at the house of Simon in Capernaum which Jesus made his home.

The steadfast faith of the friends.

Jesus speaks with affection and compassion.

We learn about inner paralysis caused by sin.

Jesus being God can forgive sins.

Jesus being God can heal his paralysis.

Jesus Calls His Disciples

Luke 5: 1 – 11

Matthew 4: 18 - 22

John 1: 35 – 41

Luke 8: 1 - 3

Luke 6: 12 – 16; Matt. 10: 2 – 4; Mk.3: 16 – 19

Apostle Gk. apostolos, from apostellein “to send forth”

Twelve are chosen

Jesus Names His Apostles

The Sermon on the Mount

Read Matt. Chapts. 5, 6, 7

For next week

Eternal Lord of All Things

Eternal Lord of all things,I feel your gaze on me.

I sense that your Mother stands near, watching,

and that with you are all the great beings of heaven-

angels and powers and martyrs and saints.

Lord Jesus, I think you have put a desire in me.

If you will help me, please,I would like to make my offering:I want it to be my desire, and my

choice,provided that you want it, too,

to live my life as you lived yours.

I know that you lived an insignificant personin a little, despised town;I know that you rarely tasted luxury and never privilege, and that you resolutely refused to accept power.I know that you suffered rejection by leaders,abandonment by friends, and failure.

I know. I can hardly bear the thought of it all.But it seems a toweringly wonderful thingthat you might call me to follow you and stand with you.I will labor with you to bring God’s reign,if you will give me the gift to do it. Amen.Joseph Tetlow SJ