religion ii may 26, 2015. the incarnation “in the beginning was the word, and the word was with...
TRANSCRIPT
The Incarnation
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the word became flesh.”
The Incarnationsarks (Greek), carne (Latin)
FLESH
WE CANNOT BE HUMAN BEINGS WITHOUT BODIES!
Docetism: an early heresy that was associated with the Gnostics that claimed that Jesus had no human
body and only appeared to die on the Cross
The Importance of the
Incarnation
If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human, then he didn’t really
die and rise.
If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human,
then our human nature is not healed.
If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human, then we have never
perceived the Glory of God.
Mary, the Mother of God
By responding “yes” to God’s invitation to the Incarnation at the Annunciation, Mary was already collaborating with
the whole work her Son was to accomplish.
Christology
The study of Jesus Christ—trying to understand who he
is
John focuses on the heavenly origins of Christ and his fundamental identity as
God’s only Son.
The synoptic gospels provide a narrative of Jesus of
Nazareth and develop his story as an ascent to glory
through the Paschal Mystery.
The Signs in John’s Gospel
Sign 1: The Wedding at Cana
Jesus changed the water into wine;
we believe that he can change us.
Water symbolizes baptism; wine symbolizes the
Eucharist.
Mary’s concern for others moved her
to intercede.
The Signs in John’s Gospel
Sign 2: Cure of the Official’s Son
Power of Jesus’ word was enough to heal the son of a court
official
Jesus can rescue us from spiritual death.
Shows the power of intercessory prayer (prayer for others)
Sign 3: Cure on a Sabbath
Jesus is the source of life.
“My Father is at work until now, so I am at
work.”
Both the Son and the Father work on the
Sabbath.
The Signs in John’s Gospel
Sign 4 and 5: Multiplication of Loaves and Walking on Water
Recall Moses’ miracles in
Exodus after the first Passover
Manna in the desertWalking through
the Red Sea
Jesus is the New Moses and the true Passover.
Bread of Life Discourse
After these signs, Jesus tells his
disciples that he replaces the manna
of the Exodus.
He is the source of eternal life—the
Eucharist.
The Eucharist brings about an intimate
relationship between Christ and
the Church.
Peter: Master, to whom shall we go?
The Signs in John’s Gospel
Sign 6: Cure of a Man Born Blind
Contrasts a blind man who was given sight with those who had physical sight yet
were spiritually blind.
Remain faithful to Jesus and your faith will
deepen.
The Lord teaches that spiritual blindness is worse than physical
blindness.
Sign 7: Raising of Lazarus
This most important sign prefigures Jesus’ own
Death and Resurrection.
Sums up all the signs• Jesus is the way of life
• Jesus is the Resurrection
• Jesus is God (“I Am”).
Faith is essential for us to gain eternal life.
The Last SupperJohn reports the Last
Supper occurred on the day the Jews killed the
lambs for Passover.
Every Eucharist re-presents in an unbloody manner the one Sacrifice
of Christ.
Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.
He promises to send the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit