Journal Read both infancy narratives (Matthew 1-2 & Luke 1-2) -What difference surprises you the most?

Mark’s Thesis: 1:1 the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God Two-part Argument: Jesus is the Messiah Jesus is the unique son of God Mark had the experience of seeing Jesus but had to deal with the expectations that Jesus was going to relieve Israel of suffering. Synoptic Gospels

Structure of Mark: Part 1: The Hidden and Misunderstood Messiah, Chps 1-8:27 Part 2: Reveal the Messiah, Chps 8-10 Part 3: The Triumphant Tragedy of the Messiah, Chps Synoptic Gospels

Part 1: The Hidden and Misunderstood Messiah, Chps 1-8:27 Repeatedly tells people (demons and disciples) not to tell others who he is. Repeatedly rebukes disciples for not understanding who he is and his parables. No one seems to get who Jesus his (disciples, family, leaders of his town) Synoptic Gospels

Part 2: Reveal the Messiah & Part 3: Triumphant Tragedy Mark’s Thesis: that Jesus is the Son of God AND the Messiah. The fact that he is the unique Son of God is not revealed until Mark 15. The end of Mark leaves the reader at the end of the story on the fence forced to make a decision. Synoptic Gospels

Overview of the Gospel of Matthew Date: sometime in the 80’s Author: Jewish scribe Audience: Jewish Christians Theme: Jesus Christ—Emmanuel (“God is with us”)—is the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament

Jesus as the New Moses Matthew presents Jesus as the New Moses His sermons reveal Jesus as a great teacher Matthew strives to show that Jesus Christ fulfills all of God’s promises to the Chosen People and through them to all people.

Matthew: Jesus as the new Moses. Chps 5-7 Sermon on the Mount Chp 10 Instruction for Missionaries Chp 13 Teaching through Parables Chp 18 Instruction to the Church Chps Apocalyptic Discourse Synoptic Gospels

Mathews’ Audience: Jews struggling with the Torah 1) Jesus as fulfillment of Jewish prophecy quotes and allusions to the Hebrew Bible -Twelve times: “All this happened in order to fulfill…” 2) Matthew’s Jesus not interested in Gentiles (cf. Matthew 15:22-28) 3) Matthew’s Jesus: in the midst of a massive intra-Jewish debates (cf. Mathew 23:15, 23:24-27, 23: ) Synoptic Gospels

Overview of the Gospel of Luke  Date: ~ AD  Author: a Gentile Christian with some attraction to Judaism; also wrote Acts of the Apostles; highly polished writing style  Audience: largely Gentile Christians  Theme: the city of Jerusalem is an important symbol; the drama of Salvation unfolds there

Luke: (Luke and Acts are two parts of the same book)  Preface Material   Jesus Galilean Ministry   The Travel Narrative   The Jerusalem Ministry   The Church in Jerusalem   The Travel Narrative  The Ending  Rome Jesus’ message was destined to go to Rome. Luke reveals that the audience is Gentile (Non-Jews) Synoptic Gospels

Luke’s Audience: Gentiles, Struggling with Jewish Prophet 1) Luke's audience was non-Jewish believers (gentiles) 2) Luke foreshadows the theme of the Gentiles (cf. Luke 2:27- 33). Jesus will be there for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. 3) Special L tends to exalt non-Jews (cf. Luke 10: Good Samaritan). Synoptic Gospels

Jesus’ Message in Luke Jesus Offers a Message of Joy Heart of Luke includes parables that highlight God’s forgiveness “I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents” Jesus’ compassion is a divine sign of healing love Jesus Is for Everyone Jesus sought out people who were considered “outcasts” Jesus is everyone’s compassionate Savior We should allow Jesus to live in us so we can love everyone in imitation of our Lord

The Early Life of Christ Mysterion: God’s saving plan unfolded in history God who is mystery is the very same God who revealed himself in human history. Everything about Jesus reveals God as infinitely loving and merciful.

The Early Life of Christ Birth of Jesus  Matthew and Luke contain infancy narratives  Highlight Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (foster father)  Mary: a virgin, conceived of the Holy Spirit  The stories reveal more about Jesus and his mission Circumcision and Presentation in the Temple Jesus’ circumcision incorporated him into the Chosen People. Example of humility Jesus is God’s only Son Old prophets Simeon and Anna recognize him as the Messiah.

The Early Life of Christ The Magi, Flight into Egypt, and Herod’s Slaughter of the Innocents The Epiphany celebrates the mystery of Christ’s manifestation as the Savior of the world. The Holy Family’s flight into Egypt reveals how God protected Him from evil. Hidden Years  Jesus lived a life of humble obedience in Nazareth.  Contrasts with Adam’s disobedience  Learned Jewish faith from his parents  Jesus’ humility teaches us how to pray, live, and witness to our faith.

Followers of Jesus His life-giving words and marvelous deeds inevitably drew disciples to him!

Call of the Twelve Jesus selected the Twelve Apostles (from the word “send”) to assist him in his work. Jesus chose the Apostles. Jesus taught on his own authority.

The Call of the Twelve Peter Andrew James, Zebedee’s son John, Zebedee’s son Philip Bartholomew Matthew, or Levi Thomas James, son of Alphaeus Simon the Zealot Judas, son of James Judas Iscariot

Jesus’ Public Life Baptism by John the Baptist By his submission to John’s baptism, Jesus again displayed his humility. All Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity are Jesus in the scene. Temptations in the Desert Satan tempted Jesus three times during his forty-day retreat in the desert. Foreshadowed his victory over sin and Satan True love often requires sacrifice.

Jesus Proclaims the Gospel “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel.”

Jesus Proclaims the Gospel Jesus’ Miracles Mighty works, wonders, and signs revealed that God’s Kingdom was present in his very person. Purpose was to show Jesus’ power over sin Paschal Mystery Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension Paschal Mystery rescued humanity from sin and death. Jesus is Risen!

Transfiguration The mystery from Christ’s life in which God’s glory shone through and transformed Jesus’ physical appearance while he was in the company of the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah Peter, James, and John witnessed this event.