Redemptive Nature of Jesus’ Earthly Life Jesus’ Public Ministry

Jesus as the “Light of the World” Luminous Mysteries ◦ The Baptism at the Jordan ◦ The Wedding Feast at Cana ◦ The Proclamation of the Kingdom ◦ The Transfiguration ◦ The Institution of the Eucharist

Baptism at the Jordan Found in all four gospels John baptized followers in the Jordan River as a sign of cleansing and renewal. ◦ Jesus was baptized by John  Completely identifies with the human condition  Perfect obedience to the Father  Reveals the mystery of the Trinity

Wedding at Cana Found only in the Gospel of John Turns water into wine ◦ Reveals his glory and disciples begin to believe in him ◦ Mary already believed in him ◦ Power over creation ◦ Wine was used in ancient times to “toast” the coming of the Messiah

Proclamation of the Kingdom The Kingdom is revealed through many miracles and teachings. It is present in Jesus. The kingdom will be here when original justice and holiness will be restored and people will live in peace with God and one another Prophesied to begin when the Messiah would bring good news to the poor and freedom to the captives ◦ Healed the blind, lame, and others ◦ Brought freedom to those subject to demons, disease, sin, oppression, and death

Transfiguration Found in the three synoptic gospels Follows Peter’s acceptance of Jesus as Messiah and Jesus’ proclamation of his passion, death and resurrection ◦ Jesus would be a “suffering servant” not a warrior leader.  Messianic mystery Manifested to Peter, James and John ◦ Jesus “shines like the sun” ◦ God acknowledges Jesus as his son ◦ Jesus shown with Elijah(prophets) and Moses(Law)

Institution of the Eucharist Testified to in the synoptics and Paul’s first letter to Corinthians, and implied in John’s gospel. At *Passover meal, Jesus turns bread and wine into his body and blood and commands the apostles to “do this in memory of me” ◦ First Eucharist ◦ Institution of the Priesthood ◦ An invitation to participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice *A remembrance of the saving of the Israelites from death in Egypt commanded by God to be commemorated each year.

PASCHAL MYSTERY The work of Salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ mainly through his life, Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension.

The Poverty of Christ Elites and non-elites ◦ In Jesus’ time there were two classes, the poor and the wealthy ◦ Mary and Joseph part of the non-elite Material poverty and poverty of the heart (spirit) ◦ Wealthy have an obligation to help the poor  Matt, 19:16-24, Lk.16:19-31, Matt.25:31-46 ◦ Recognize the need for God  Matt.6:19-21, Mk. 12:41-44, Lk. 12: 15-21

The Obedience of Christ Redeeming Adam’s disobedience ◦ Through the disobedience of our first parents sin and death enter the world Jesus’ example of obedience ◦ Called the “New Adam” ◦ Restores human nature to its original holiness ◦ Obedient to his earthly parents ◦ Obedient to his heavenly Father

Christ’s moral preaching Morality: ◦ Goes beyond the “letter of the law” (legalistic)  *Looks at intention and situation in addition to the action itself. New law is a return to the original holiness and justice. ◦ New Law – Old Law  “You have heard…”  “I have not come to abolish the law” ◦ Purifies our conscience by basing our obedience on being in full communion with God  Love  Adultery/Divorce/Chastity  Anger  Prayer, Alms, Fasting *both action and intention must be good in order to have a moral act Situation or circumstance increases or decreases the goodness or evil of the act.

The Sermon on the Mount Beatitudes ◦ With the Commandments, a guideline for living You are the “Salt of the Earth, Light of the World” Teachings about ◦ the Law ◦ Anger, adultery, divorce,& swearing oaths ◦ Retaliation, love of enemies ◦ Almsgiving, prayer & fasting ◦ Poverty of the heart ◦ Judging others, relying on God, Golden Rule ◦ Discipleship ◦ Results of acting on Jesus’ teachings

Christ’s Miracles or Signs  The people of Jesus’ time related sickness to sin  Restoring the wholeness of body, mind, and spirit  Jesus is making the Kingdom of God present to those who believe in him ◦ Healings  Physical healing, (blind, lame, lepers etc) ◦ Exorcisms  Removing demons or evil spirits ◦ Resurrections  Raising people from the dead ◦ Power over Nature Not performed directly to prove who he was.

CHRIST’S HEALINGS Isolation Just as sin isolates us from God, sickness, poverty and all bad fortune isolated people from others. Jesus sought to bring everyone together by his healings Sinfulness People thought that sinners where afflicted by God for their sins Kingdom of God Healings were a sign of the kingdom that Jesus had brought with him