Jesus Christ is called both the Messiah (Anointed One) and the only-Begotten Son of God. He was the only person to be born of a mortal mother, Mary, and an immortal father, God the Father. From His Father, He inherited divine powers. He became a man – He was named Jesus. We believe in the Incarnation – that God was made man without ceasing to be God. Thus He is true God and true man. He is the second person of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ we are called to be heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only-Begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may attain eternal life. (John 3:16)
Was Jesus a Real Person (or Really God)? (7:02)
Besides the belief that God became man in the person of Jesus Christ, the single most important truth professed by Christians is that the Son of God suffered torture and execution, died on a cross, and rose from the dead three days later.
What Christians call the Paschal Mystery stands at the center of the Christian proclamation of faith. The Paschal Mystery encompasses the essential belief of Jesus’ disciples — that Christ conquered death and gained for us everlasting life in heaven. Jesus entered into the experience of human suffering and death in order to destroy the power of death over human life. He did not eliminate death, but made of it a path to eternal union with God.
The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life. This new life is above all justification that reinstates us in God’s grace, “so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Justification consists in both victory over the death caused by sin and a new participation in grace. It brings about filial adoption so that men become Christ’s brethren, as Jesus himself called his disciples after his Resurrection: “Go and tell my brethren.” We are brethren not by nature, but by the gift of grace, because that adoptive filiation gains us a real share in the life of the only Son, which was fully revealed in his Resurrection. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 654)
Two Natures of Christ – Fulton Sheen Timeless Wisdom (3:52)
Prophet, Priest, and King
In Jesus, God has given us the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King. Through these roles in the new covenant, He is the absolute leader for our spirit, soul, and body.
A prophet is one who speaks the word of God, and speaks it boldly even when it is not popular. A prophet directs those around him to the truth, no matter what the consequences. Jesus certainly did this while he walked the earth. It was his teachings which so inflamed the leaders at the time that they sought to have him executed.
22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people. To him shall you listen in whatever he tells you. 23 Everyone who refuses to listen to that prophet will be cut off from the people.’ (Acts 3:22–23)
A priest is one who serves the mission of God on earth. He makes offerings to God. Jesus’ whole life was in service of his mission to reveal God to us. And he himself was sacrificed in service of that mission.
1 Therefore, holy brethren, who share in a heavenly calling, concentrate your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and the high priest of our profession of faith. (Hebrews 3:1)
A king is a ruler and judge, a person of authority. We hear many times in the gospels how the people were amazed at how he spoke with authority. Jesus is not like earthly rulers who seek power and riches for themselves. He gave us his vision for the Kingdom of God. As Christians, we welcome his kingship and follow him.
14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but because the Lamb is Lord of lords and King of kings, he will overcome them—he and those who are with him, the called, the chosen, and the faithful. (Revelation 17:14)
At our baptisms, we are also anointed prophets, priests, and kings. We bring the word of God to the world. We serve God in the universal priesthood. And we serve as kings when we act with justice and lead others to God.
15 Go forth into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to all creation. (Mark 16:15)
“The first word of Jesus in the Gospel was ‘come’; the last word of Jesus in the Gospel was ‘go’.” ― Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
This One Thing Makes Christianity Different From Every Other Religion (9:15)
Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist as spiritual nourishment because he loves us. God’s whole plan for our salvation is directed to our participation in the life of the Trinity, the communion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our sharing in this life begins with our Baptism, when by the power of the Holy Spirit we are joined to Christ, thus becoming adopted sons and daughters of the Father. It is strengthened and increased in Confirmation. It is nourished and deepened through our participation in the Eucharist. By eating the Body and drinking the Blood of Christ in the Eucharist we become united to the person of Christ through his humanity. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56). In being united to the humanity of Christ we are at the same time united to his divinity. Our mortal and corruptible natures are transformed by being joined to the source of life.
57 Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so whoever feeds upon me will live because of me. (John 6:57)
Belief in the true presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is a matter of Faith, expressed well in the words we sing during benediction. “What our senses fail to fathom, we grasp through faith’s consent” (from the Tantum Ergo). Let us never forget the miracle we witness in the celebration of each Mass. God gives Himself fully to us as we receive Him in Communion. He desires to bring us into oneness with Himself through this feeding and nurturing that takes place in Holy Communion!
Our Lord knows that this incredible miracle of the Holy Eucharist is hard for us to comprehend. The Scripture passage of the father who seeks out Jesus to heal his possessed son is helpful. The father says to Jesus, “If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus replied, “All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; please help my unbelief.” Jesus then cast the demon out of the boy, and he was completely healed. (cf. Mk 9:17-29) Jesus is saying that what is necessary is faith. And yet, we always need to be strengthened in faith, especially when doubt creeps in. The words of the father, “I believe; please help my unbelief,” are something simple to remember and pray each time before receiving Holy Communion.
“When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.” ― Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sacred Heart of Jesus today I wish to live in You, in Your grace, in which I desire at all costs to persevere. Keep me from sin and strengthen my will by helping me to keep watch over my senses, my imagination, and my heart. Help me to correct my faults which are the source of sin. I beg You to do this, O Jesus, through Mary, Your Immaculate Mother. Amen.
Everything You Need to Know About Jesus (8:27)
Which Jesus Is the Real Jesus? (12:52)
