Who was Jesus?

1. Who was Jesus? • Pope Benedict XVI – • The Fulfillment of God’s Promises to the People of Israel and the fulfillment of God’s Promise to recreate the world according to his original plan

2. What was promised to Israel Quick Tour of the 1st Parts of Genesis – • Genesis 1 • Genesis 2-3 • Genesis 4 • Genesis 5-9 • Genesis 10

3. Jesus: Fulfillment of God’s Promises God promised Abraham that he would recreate the world and restore it to its original plan (Gen. 12:1-3) • The original plan did not include sin, death, suffering, poverty, and violence – all of these things are rejected by God as incompatible with his Reign • Ex. 22:21-22, Dtr. 14:29, Am. 2:7, Am. 5:11, Am 5:21,24, Is. 2:4, Is. 5:7, Is. 10:2, Is. 58:6-7, Is. 61:1-3 • Restoration of Justice – right relationship among humans and between humans and God – is reserved for the “end time.” • Is. 45:23-25, 60:18, 60:21

4. Characterizing the Ages Current Age Age to Come Idolatry Sin Violence Greed Slavery Oppression War Death Fidelity Justice • Mercy • Peace Equality Freedom Hospitality New - Life

5. God’s Reign has Arrived…. The Hope of Israel, the fulfillment of God’s promise, was finally coming true in the person and ministry of Jesus (Lk. 4:16-20) • Miracles of compassion, mercy, healing, and service were restorative Death and Resurrection of Jesus was God’s rejection of evil – power of sin and death that leads to suffering, poverty, and violence (Jn. 12:31, Rom. 18:8)

6. “In Between Times” Idolatry Sin Violence War Death Fidelity Justice Forgiveness Peace New Life Paschal Mystery 2nd Coming

7. United to Christ in the Spirit Gift of the Holy Spirit allows the Christian Community to live as a New Creation: a sign and instrument of God’s coming reign here and now • Born into Jesus' new life – continue his ministry to recreate the world, restore it to God’s original design (Rom. 6:8-13) • Put an end to sin and death, suffering, poverty, and violence

8. Church in the World “The joy and hope, the grief and the anguish of the [people] of our time, especially those who are poor or afflicted in any way, are the joy and the hope, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well.” (GS, 1) And so the Council, as witness and guide to the faith of the whole people of God, gathered together by Christ, can find no more eloquent expression of its solidarity and respectful affection for the whole human family, to which it belongs, than to enter into dialogue with it about all these different problems. (GS, 3) “At all times the Church carries the responsibility of reading to signs of the time and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel if it is to carry out its task.” (GS, 4)

9. Characteristics of Church What are the 3 qualities, according to Pope Benedict, that are required for Church to be truly Catholic? Preach the Gospel Celebrate the Liturgy Serve the Community Deus caritas est, #22

10. Charity is everything… Institutional Path Of Charity Direct Path Of Charity • Encounters the neighbor directly • Identifies need and suffering • Alleviates suffering • Secure the common good • Shapes the structure of society • Corresponds with the real needs of people Charity Every Christian is called to practice this Charity, in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in [society]. -CIV #13

11. Catholic Social Teaching Service to Humanity is based on the Church’s understanding of herself in the public sphere as the SAFEGUARD OF THE HUMAN PERSON. In order to guide the Church’s public response to social issues, the Church has developed a body of Doctrine called Catholic Social Teaching: • Catholic Social teaching is a body of documents that strive to foster a living faith, a faith that leads to loving action. • Guides the Church as it continues the redemptive ministry of Jesus • It raises up a social vision that is transformative, it makes visible the reign of God. • It is the Church’s presentation and articulation of its reflection upon human beings in society. • It embodies core themes and responds to challenges facing human beings in a complex and changing world. • It is fundamental, universal, unchanging • It is relational, dynamic, and responsive

12. Sacredness of Human Life and Dignity Foundational Theme of Catholic Social Teaching • Created in the image of God and therefore all Human Life is sacred • People must come 1st and each person must have and be afforded the means to fully develop as a human person • Church’s work in pursuit of Justice is designed to protect and promote the Dignity of the Human Person • Each person is the expression of God’s creative work, the redemptive ministry of Christ

13. Rights and Responsibilities Born out of the Church’s commitment to protect the life and dignity of the human person, the Church has a strong history of proclaiming Human Rights and Human Responsibilities. • Everyone has a right to life and a right to the things required to live a decent life • Rights of the individual are limited by a responsibility to ensure that others are able to acquire the necessities of life

14. Family, Community, and Participation The human person is sacred and social – the realization of human dignity and the free exercise of human rights only happens in community. The Family is the basic unit of all society and must be preserved and protected The organization of our society (law, politics, economics) directly impacts human dignity and the ability of individuals to grow in community People have a right and duty to participate in the ongoing development of society and culture

15. Option for the Poor The basic, moral test of human society is how the most vulnerable members are faring • Common good can only be achieved if everyone reaches her or his fullest potential • Poverty and powerlessness wound the entire community

16. In Conclusion… The responsibility of the Church, to whom Jesus entrusted his Ministry, to engage publically on social and political issues, problems, and questions as the guardian of the Human Person is indisputable.