Some key teachings of Jesus
v Jesus preached a Kingdom of justice, love, truth, compassion and forgiveness. He invites everyone to come and live by these qualities that make for good order and better living.
v Jesus invites everyone to a life of faith, trust, confidence, surrender to God’s will and providence. “You have nothing to be afraid of.” How much more will my heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to whoever asks!
v Jesus especially gave hope and comfort to the poor, those unjustly treated, the outcasts, the indigent, the “sinner” and all those whose life seemed so futile and empty.
v Jesus preached service of love to one another—a commandment to love God, and all others. The catholic loves Jesus by loving one’s neighbor as well as one’s enemy. Service is key to showing this love. “Whatever you say or do to another, you say or do to me” as Jesus indicates. “My commandment is that you love one another as I have loved you.”
v Jesus preached “taking up one’s cross” to follow him. Rough times come and will test one’s faith and love and commitment.
v Jesus preached the promise of Everlasting life and happiness—I have come that you may have
abundant life now and forever.
v Jesus preached the necessity of prayer— “ask and you shall receive.” Through prayer a Catholic can get to know, love, and imitate Jesus Christ more personally. I can more personally anchor my life in Christ through prayer, sacraments, and listening to His message; faith and trust and love are the key qualities for following Jesus and helping him build the Kingdom of God. “Without me you can do nothing; with Me all things are possible.”
v Our commitment to Jesus is founded on a personal faith and trust in Him who invites each of us to follow Him—even to taking up one’s cross on a daily basis. This calls for an on-going renewal of spiritual energy and strength—hence the need for prayer, scripture and sacraments.
v The faith of a Catholic seeks to understand the Person and live the message of Jesus. As St. Augustine said: “I believe in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe.”
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A reflection:
Paul urges us to “put on the mind and heart of Christ.”
How do we do this? One way is take up Scripture with a listening heart. There is a big difference between having knowledge about a person and knowing the person. The words and actions of Jesus reveal His mind and heart. Praying from the Bible would be a fruitful way for the heart to “learn of the Lord.”
Below are some questions and passages that might be helpful for your prayer.
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“Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
1) “Ask for the grace to know Jesus intimately, to love him more intensely, and to follow him more closely.” (Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius #104)
2) In what area of my life are you being asked to say “yes” to God as Mary did? In trust she said “Here I am; the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1, 26-28) Is there much trust in your heart? How can you develop trust in the Lord?
3) “Thus says the Lord God: I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create.” (Isaiah 65, 17-21)
4) What do experiences of incompleteness show you about God as the fulfillment of my life? “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46, 11) How does God draw you?
5) This is the first commandment: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! Therefore you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and all your strength.” This is the second: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12, 30-34)
6) “God who loves us creates us and wants to share life with us forever. Our love response takes shape in our praise, honor, and service of the God of our life.” (Spiritual Exercises, #23) What are the deep longings, hungers of your heart put there by God to draw you to God?
7) “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory.” Pray over John 1, 1-18. Am I to be the incarnated presence of God in the world? Am I to be like a sacrament?
8) “Fear not, you shall not be put to shame; you need not blush, for you shall not be disgraced. Your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, called God of all the earth. With enduring love I take pity on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. Though mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you, nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” (Isaiah 54, 1-10)
9) Jesus says to us: “Come to me all you who labor and find life burdensome and I will…” What kind of help do you expect? What have you experienced?
10) “I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all fear. You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, be still and know I am here.” (from the song “You are Mine,” by David Haas)
11) “Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. I have loved you with an everlasting love…I hold you in the palm of my hands. In my sight you are precious…do not be afraid I am with you.” Says the Lord God (Isaiah 43, 1-4)
12) “If you love me you will keep my commandments. . . Love the Lord God and one another.” “Peter, do you love me more than these?” Do find this a question you like to answer if asked of you?
A prayer
Lord Jesus, right from the moment of your birth, you lived with both the little and the great. Let me feel your personal love that made the simple love you, and the leaders seek you in the night.
Open my mind to know you more personally and to love you more faithfully. Help me to hold you as Mary and Joseph held you. Accept the love and gratitude of my heart.
Guide me with the wisdom of your Holy Spirit to know you more personally in a special way. Help me to walk as your friend and companion on the journey. Deepen my faith and trust.
Be for me the way, the truth, and the light so I don’t get lost on the journey. May you be glorified in me now and forever.
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