CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4

The Message
and the
Ministry of
Jesus Christ
 Pupil, learner,
or follower

Disciples

JESUS

Follow and learn then Apostles

go forth and share the
Good News and
baptize people of all
nations Jesus Begins His Ministry
The Twelve
Disciple Role
St. Peter Fisherman, the Rock
St. Andrew Follower of John the Baptist,
preaching in Asia Minor and Greece
St. John Great innocence and purity,
entrusted his Mother
St. Phillip A Galilean, brought Nathanael to
Christ
St. Bartholomew Believed to be Nathanael, innocent
and simple won praise of our Lord
St. Thomas Refused to believe Christ had risen
until he touched the wounds
Symbol
Cross keys signifying divine power
to bind and loose
Transverse cross—manner of his
crucifixion
Chalice—“of my cup you shall
indeed drink”
Latin cross—theme of his
preaching
Knife, instrument used to flay him
alive
Builder’s square from story about
a palace built by Thomas for a
king in India
Disciple Description Symbol
St. Matthew Wealthy tax collector Ax; possibly beheaded for his
preaching in Asia
St. James the Less Brother of St. Jude, Fuller’s club; beaten to death
cousin of Jesus; served
as first bishop of
Jerusalem
St. Jude Brother of St. James the Halberd, a long-handled and ax like
Less; patron saint of weapon
hopeless situations
St. Simon Brother of James and Saw; martyred by being sawed into
Jude pieces
St. Matthias Followed Jesus from Lance and a bible; well versed in
John’s baptism, took the scripture
place of Judas
St. James the Greater The older James A sword and a cross
Peter the Rock
“I will give you the keys to the
kingdom of heaven. Whatever
you bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven; and
whatever you loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt
16:19 )

Jesus Begins His Ministry

 Apostolic Succession
Apostolic succession is the line of bishops today stretching back
to the Apostles.

Scripture
• Ordained leaders share in Jesus’ ministry and authority
• Authority is transferred by ordination
• Jesus wants us to obey apostolic authority

Tradition/Church Fathers
• The Church has apostolic succession
• Authority is transferred by the power of apostolic succession

Jesus Begins His Ministry

What did Jesus reveal about the Kingdom of God?

• The Kingdom of God extends to everyone.

• The poor and lowly are most eligible to enter.
• God is merciful to sinners.
• Sinners are called to repentance.
• God’s love excludes no one.
• Has a present dimension as well as a future dimension

Jesus Announces the Kingdom of God

Elements of Parables

Jesus Teaches about the Kingdom of God in Parables

Messages of Parables

Jesus Teaches about the Kingdom of God in Parables

 Types of Miracles
Healing Miracles Miracles of Nature Miracles Raisings from the Dead

Exorcism
Healing of Simon Peter’s Expulsion of a demon Jesus calmed the storm at Raising of the widow
mother–in-law of a severe from a man at the sea (Lk 8:22–25) Nain’s son (Lk 7:11–17)
fever (Lk 4:38–39 Capernaum synagogue (Lk
4:31–37)
Cleansing of a leper (Lk Healing of the Gerasene Miracle of the loaves and Raising of Lazarus (Jn
5:12–16) demoniac (Lk 8:26–39) fish (Lk 9:10–17) 11:1–44)

Healing of a blind beggar Miracles of the wine at Raising of the synagogue

who recognized Jesus as wedding at Cana leader’s daughter
son of David (Lk 18:35–43 (synoptic Gospels)

Jesus Miracles are a Sign of God’s Kingdom

 Journal
Reflection
Choose one miracle
of Jesus for
reflection. What
does this miracle
reveal to you about
the Kingdom of
God?
Jesus Miracles are a Sign of God’s Kingdom
 • Healing miracles from saints in the canonization process
• Apparitions including Marian apparitions
• Locutions (audible messages from God or a saint)
• Miraculous images
• Eucharistic miracles
• Incorrupt bodies
• Stigmata

Categories of Modern Day Miracles

Http://www.miraclehunter.com
Jesus Miracles are a Sign of God’s Kingdom
The Luminous Mysteries
1. Baptism of Jesus
2. Wedding at Cana
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration of Jesus
5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Three Luminous Mysteries

Transfiguration

The glorious transformation of Jesus that manifested his divine identity

to Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, probably Mount Tabor.
The event, reported in all three synoptic Gospels, also involved the
appearance of Moses and Elijah.
Three Luminous Mysteries
 Real Presence

The Real Presence of Jesus Christ means that he himself is truly present
under the appearances of the consecrated bread and wine.

Three Luminous Mysteries

• http://www.scripturecatholic.com/apostolic-authority-succession/
• http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=8