3. Jesus is the greatest role model Jesus is the role par excellence for us to follow. I am the way, and the truth, and the life. —John 14:6

4. Jesus’ public life began with his baptism Jesus’ public ministry began with his baptism by John. Baptism signifies turning one’s life toward God in obedience and loyalty.

5. Jesus’ baptism foreshadows his Death Through consenting to his baptism by John, Jesus symbolically took on the brokenness of human sin and publicly proclaimed his loyalty to the Father and to his mission as Savior. This public witness foreshadowed his suffering, Death and Resurrection.

6. Jesus resisted temptation Jesus was fully human in all ways except sin. Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, the forces of evil tore at his mind and heart and will. And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. —Mark 1:12  13

7. Jesus resisted temptation Being fully human, Jesus experienced temptation as we all do. In his steadfast loyalty to God the Father, Jesus ‘role-modeled’ for us how to respond to temptation: to trust that God is always ready to help us.

8. Jesus’ mission The time is fulfilled: God’s promises are coming true in Jesus. The Kingdom of God is here: Jesus is the presence of God on earth. Repent: Jesus called people to turn their lives around. Believe: Jesus called people to believe in God with their minds and their hearts. Good News: the Gospel is our Good News.

9. The Kingdom of God The Kingdom of God is a symbol of what God desires for all people and for creation. It signifies a reign of love and kindness, of peace and justice, of holiness and fullness of life for all.

10. Good News The Good News refers not only to what Jesus did but more importantly who he is The old English word, Gospel, means the same thing

11. Miracles as signs of God’s reign The miracles of Jesus reveal that ‘the Kingdom is present’ in Jesus and that he was the promised Messiah. Four types of miracles: 1- Healings 2- Nature 3- Exorcisms 4- Resuscitations

12. What is a parable? Parables are a characteristic feature of Jesus’ teaching. Parables are simple images or comparisons which confront the hearer or reader with a radical choice about his invitation to enter the Kingdom of God.

13. What is a parable? Jesus used parables—metaphors, similes and mini-stories of everyday life—to teach about the Kingdom of God.

14. The parable of the Mustard Seed [Jesus taught,] ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’ —Mark 4:30–32

15. A Kingdom of restored justice To live in God’s Kingdom means to arrange our society, our businesses and our personal lives so that everyone has both the basics and the chance for joy. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us in living the values of the Kingdom proclaimed by Jesus through his life and teaching.

16. The story of Pope Leo XIII Elected Pope in 1879. Worked tirelessly to guide and support Catholics to bring the Gospel to the modern world and live it authentically. His efforts and writings are the basis of what is today the Social Teachings of the Church. His social encyclical Rerum Novarum is acknowledged to be the origin of the Catholic Church’s social principal ‘the preferential option for the poor’.