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1. The Baptism in the Jordan
And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved
Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt.
3:17) |
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John is
baptizing in the Jordan proclaiming a baptism of repentance.
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“I am the
voice of one crying in the desert, make straight the way of the
Lord.”
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“One
mightier than I is coming after me.”
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“I have
baptized you with water, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
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Seeing
Jesus, John exclaims: “Behold the Lamb of God.”
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After
Jesus’ baptism a voice from Heaven: “This is my beloved Son in whom
I am well pleased.”
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The Spirit
descends upon Jesus in the form of a dove.
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In this
heavenly manifestation is instituted the sacrament of baptism.
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The divine
Trinity is manifested: the voice of the Father is heard as the
Spirit descends upon the Son.
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Filled with
the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert for 40
days.
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2. The Wedding at Cana
“Women, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet
come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”
(Jn
2:1-12) |
- Jesus, His Mother and
disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana.
- During the wedding feast the
wine ran short.
- Mary turned to Jesus: “They
have no wine.”
- Jesus replied: “What would
you have me do? My hour has not yet come.”
- Mary said to the waiters:
“Do whatever he tells you.”
- There were six stone water
jars, each holding fifteen to twenty gallons.
- Jesus bids the waiters to
fill the jars with water, and then draw some out and take it to the
chief steward.
- The chief steward said to
the groom: “Every man serves the good wine first… but you have
saved the good wine until now.”
- At Mary’s request, Jesus
worked His first miracle.
- By His presence, Christian
marriage was raised to the dignity of a Sacrament
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3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at
hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk
1:15) |
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“Repent,
for the kingdom of God is at hand.”
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“My kingdom
is not of this world.”
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“Unless a
man be born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the
kingdom of heaven.”
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“Whoever
does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter
into it.”
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“I have
come to call sinners, not the just.”
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“Love your
enemies, pray for those who persecute you.”
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“Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
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“Blessed
are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be
satisfied.”
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“Blessed
are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for thiers is the
kingdom of heaven.”
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“You are
Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church… I will give you
the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
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4. The Transfiguration
While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his
clothing became dazzling white. (Lk
9:29) |
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Jesus took
Peter, James and John up a high mountain to pray.
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Jesus was
transfigured before them.
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“His face
became as dazzling as the sun, his clothes as radiant as light.”
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This was to
fortify their faith to withstand the coming tragedy of the Passion.
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Jesus
foresaw the ‘scandal of the cross,’ and prepared them for it by this
manifestation of His glory.
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Moses and
Elias (representing the Law and the prophets of the Old Testament)
were conversing with Jesus about His passion.
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“Do not
think I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets… but to
fulfill them.”
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From a
cloud came a voice: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”
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Jesus
admonishes them not to tell the vision to anyone until the Son of
Man rises from the dead.
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We too will
behold the transfigured Jesus on the Last Day.
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5. The Institution of the Eucharist
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the
world and he loved them to the end. (Jn
13:1) |
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I have
eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
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Jesus took
bread, blessed it: “Take and eat, this is My Body.”
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Taking the
wine: “This cup is the new covenant in my Blood, shed for you.”
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At that
eucharistic meal, Jesus celebrated the first Mass.
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At every
Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is made present.
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At the Last
Supper Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Orders to perpetuate
this sacrifice.
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“Whoever
eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”
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The
Eucharist is a sacrifice inasmuch as it is offered up, and a
sacrament inasmuch as it is received.
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In the Mass
we offer ourselves to God, and God gives himself to us.
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The Mass
will be fruitful in the measure of our surrender to the Father.
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