JESUS COMES AMONG USJESUS COMES AMONG US

““Eternity came into Time, to take us Eternity came into Time, to take us

from Time into Eternity”.from Time into Eternity”.

The story so far…The story so far…

The New TestamentThe New Testament

The New Testament, is made up of The New Testament, is made up of twenty-seven different books twenty-seven different books attributed to eight different authors, attributed to eight different authors, six of whom are numbered among six of whom are numbered among the Apostles (Matthew, John, Paul, the Apostles (Matthew, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude) and two among James, Peter, Jude) and two among their immediate disciples (Mark, their immediate disciples (Mark, Luke).Luke).

If we consider only the contents and If we consider only the contents and the literary form of these writings the literary form of these writings they may be divided into historical they may be divided into historical books (Gospels and books (Gospels and ActsActs), didactic ), didactic books (Epistles), a prophetical book books (Epistles), a prophetical book (Apocalypse). (Apocalypse).

Before the name of the New Testament Before the name of the New Testament had come into use the writers of the had come into use the writers of the latter half of the second century used latter half of the second century used to say "Gospel and Apostolic writings" to say "Gospel and Apostolic writings" or simply "the Gospel and the Apostle", or simply "the Gospel and the Apostle", meaning the meaning the Apostle St. PaulApostle St. Paul. .

The Gospels are subdivided into two The Gospels are subdivided into two groups, those which are commonly groups, those which are commonly called synoptic (Matthew, Mark, Luke), called synoptic (Matthew, Mark, Luke), because their narratives are parallel, because their narratives are parallel, and the and the fourth Gospelfourth Gospel (that of St. John), (that of St. John), which to a certain extent completes which to a certain extent completes the first three. They relate to the life the first three. They relate to the life and personal teaching of Jesus Christ. and personal teaching of Jesus Christ.

The The Acts of the ApostlesActs of the Apostles, as is , as is sufficiently indicated by the title, sufficiently indicated by the title, relates the preaching and the labours relates the preaching and the labours of the of the ApostlesApostles. It narrates the . It narrates the foundation of the Churches of foundation of the Churches of Palestine and Palestine and SyriaSyria only; in it only; in it mention is made of Peter, John, mention is made of Peter, John, James, Paul, and Barnabas; James, Paul, and Barnabas; afterwards, the author devotes afterwards, the author devotes sixteen chapters out of the twenty-sixteen chapters out of the twenty-eight to the missions of St. Paul to eight to the missions of St. Paul to the Greco-Romans. the Greco-Romans.

There are thirteen Epistles (Letters) There are thirteen Epistles (Letters) of St. Paul, and perhaps fourteen, if, of St. Paul, and perhaps fourteen, if, with the Council of Trent, we with the Council of Trent, we consider him the author of the Epistle consider him the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. They are, with the to the Hebrews. They are, with the exception of this last-mentioned, exception of this last-mentioned, addressed to particular Churches addressed to particular Churches (Rom.; I, II Cor.; Gal.; Ephes.; Philip.; (Rom.; I, II Cor.; Gal.; Ephes.; Philip.; Colos.; I, II Thess.) or to individuals (I, Colos.; I, II Thess.) or to individuals (I, II Tim.; Titus; Philemon). II Tim.; Titus; Philemon).

The seven Epistles that follow (James; The seven Epistles that follow (James; I, II Peter; I, II, III John; Jude) are called I, II Peter; I, II, III John; Jude) are called "Catholic", because most of them are "Catholic", because most of them are addressed to the faithful in general. addressed to the faithful in general.

The Apocalypse addressed to the The Apocalypse addressed to the seven Churches of seven Churches of Asia MinorAsia Minor (Ephesus, (Ephesus, SmyrnaSmyrna, , PergamusPergamus, , ThyatiraThyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) , Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) resembles in some ways a collective resembles in some ways a collective letter. It contains a vision which St. letter. It contains a vision which St. John had at Patmos concerning the John had at Patmos concerning the interior state of the above-mentioned interior state of the above-mentioned communities, the struggle of the communities, the struggle of the ChurchChurch with with paganpagan RomeRome, and the final , and the final destiny of the New Jerusalem. destiny of the New Jerusalem.

THE GOSPELSTHE GOSPELS(The Good News)(The Good News)

TTHREE STAGES:HREE STAGES:

THE JESUS EVENT / THE MINISTRY OF JESUSTHE JESUS EVENT / THE MINISTRY OF JESUS

THE PROCLAMATION OR PREACHING OF FAITH BY THE PROCLAMATION OR PREACHING OF FAITH BY WITNESSES WITNESSES KERYGMAKERYGMA

THE WRITING OF THE GOSPELS BY THE EVANGELISTS THE WRITING OF THE GOSPELS BY THE EVANGELISTS

(Greek: (Greek: euangelion = good newseuangelion = good news) )

Gospel: Old English translation of Gospel: Old English translation of evangelicus evangelicus (L) (L) godspel = good newsgodspel = good news

Dates and AuthorsDates and Authors

MatthewMatthew85 – 90 AD85 – 90 ADfor Greek speaking Christians, mostly Jewish in originfor Greek speaking Christians, mostly Jewish in origin

Mark:Mark:65 – 70 AD65 – 70 AD(64 AD Christians executed in Rome; 70 AD destruction of (64 AD Christians executed in Rome; 70 AD destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem)the Temple in Jerusalem)for Greek speaking Christians in Romefor Greek speaking Christians in Rome

LukeLuke85 – 95 AD (One work in two volumes: Gospel first, Acts of 85 – 95 AD (One work in two volumes: Gospel first, Acts of the Apostles later)the Apostles later)for Greek speaking Gentile convertsfor Greek speaking Gentile converts

JohnJohn90 – 100 AD90 – 100 ADThe Johannine commmunity deriving its tradition from “the The Johannine commmunity deriving its tradition from “the beloved disciple”.beloved disciple”.

SharingSharing Read Luke 1: 57 - 80 Read Luke 1: 57 - 80 The story is about the naming of John, the The story is about the naming of John, the

one who prepared the way for Christ. The one who prepared the way for Christ. The name John means “Yahweh is gracious”.name John means “Yahweh is gracious”.Why are names important?Why are names important?Have you ever asked your parents how Have you ever asked your parents how and why they chose your name?and why they chose your name?Do you know what your name means?Do you know what your name means?At Baptism it is customary, but not At Baptism it is customary, but not compulsory, to adopt a Christian name. compulsory, to adopt a Christian name. How do you feel about that? How do you feel about that?

The CreedThe CreedWe believe in on God,We believe in on God,The Father, the Almighty,The Father, the Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,maker of heaven and earth,of all that is, seen and unseen.of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in on Lord, Jesus Christ,We believe in on Lord, Jesus Christ,The only Son of God,The only Son of God,Eternally begotten of the Father,Eternally begotten of the Father,God from God, Light from Light,God from God, Light from Light,True God from true God,True God from true God,begotten, not made,begotten, not made,one in Being with the Father.one in Being with the Father.Through him all things were made.Through him all things were made.

The CreedThe Creed

For us men and for our salvation, For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven:he came down from heaven:By the power of the Holy SpiritBy the power of the Holy Spirithe was born of the Virgin Maryhe was born of the Virgin Maryand became man.and became man.For our sake, he was crucified under Pontius For our sake, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,Pilate,He suffered, died and was buried.He suffered, died and was buried.On the third day he rose againOn the third day he rose againin fulfillment of the Scripturesin fulfillment of the Scriptureshe ascended into heavenhe ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of the and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Father. He will come again in glory to judge the He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. and his kingdom will have no end.

The IncarnationThe Incarnation

Incarnation: (Lat) Incarnation: (Lat) “Enfleshing”“Enfleshing”

The belief that The belief that for the salvation for the salvation of the world, the of the world, the Son of God, while Son of God, while remaining fully remaining fully divine, became divine, became truly and fully truly and fully human. human.

John 1: 14John 1: 14“The Word became flesh and dwelt “The Word became flesh and dwelt

among us.”among us.” HOW?HOW?

The AnnunciationThe AnnunciationLuke 1:26 – 38 Luke 1:26 – 38

The VisitationThe VisitationLuke: 39 – 56 Luke: 39 – 56

The Nativity (The Nativity (BirthBirth Lat.) Lat.) Luke 2: 1 – 20 Luke 2: 1 – 20 Matthew 1: 18 – 25Matthew 1: 18 – 25

The Presentation The Presentation Luke 2: 25 – 40Luke 2: 25 – 40

The Finding in the The Finding in the TempleTempleLuke 2: 41 - 51Luke 2: 41 - 51

Luke 2:40 The Luke 2:40 The child grew and child grew and became strong; became strong; filled with wisdom, filled with wisdom, and the favour of and the favour of God was upon him.God was upon him.

Luke 2:52 And Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in Jesus increased in wisdom and in wisdom and in years and in divine years and in divine and human favour. and human favour.

John 3:16John 3:16“For God so loved the world that “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who he gave his only Son, so that everyone who

believes in him may not perish but may believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”have eternal life.”

WHY? CCC 456 – 460WHY? CCC 456 – 460 In order to save us by In order to save us by

reconciling us with God reconciling us with God So that we might know So that we might know

God’s loveGod’s love So that we might learn So that we might learn

how to live as God how to live as God wants us to live with wants us to live with Jesus as our modelJesus as our model

So that by sharing in So that by sharing in our humanity He might our humanity He might make us sharers in his make us sharers in his Divinity Divinity

NamesNames Jesus : “God saves”Jesus : “God saves” Christ: Gk. “the Christ: Gk. “the

anointed of God”anointed of God” Messiah: Heb. “the Messiah: Heb. “the

anointed one”anointed one” Lord: Kyrios (Gk) Lord: Kyrios (Gk)

Title of power and Title of power and authorityauthority

Son of ManSon of Man Son of GodSon of God

Closing PrayerClosing Prayer

(From: Deus Caritas Est by Pope Benedict (From: Deus Caritas Est by Pope Benedict XVI)XVI)

Holy Mary Mother of God,Holy Mary Mother of God,

You have given the world its true lightYou have given the world its true lightJesus, your Son – the Son of God,Jesus, your Son – the Son of God,

You abandoned yourself completely to You abandoned yourself completely to God’s call, God’s call,

And thus became a wellspring of the And thus became a wellspring of the goodness which flows forth from him.goodness which flows forth from him.

Show us Jesus. Lead us to Him.Show us Jesus. Lead us to Him.

Teach us to know and love him so that we Teach us to know and love him so that we too can become capable of true love too can become capable of true love

And be fountains of living water And be fountains of living water

In the midst of a thirsting world. In the midst of a thirsting world.

Amen. Amen.

For Next Week: For Next Week:

Read:Read:

Luke Luke

Chapter 3 & 4Chapter 3 & 4