Through Baptism. We share in Jesus Life & Mission

Transcription

1 Through Baptism We share in Jesus Life & Mission Catechism n In baptism we are reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ; we are incorporated into the Church, and made sharers in Jesus mission. You belong to Christ to bear fruit for God in the new life of the Spirit. (Romans 7:4-6) We are the aroma of Christ to God (2Corinthians 2:15).

2 I anoint you PRIEST Sharing in Christ s Priesthood A Priest is a mediator of divine grace In Christianity there is only one Priest: Christ There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and mankind, Christ Jesus, himself a man (1Timothy 2:5). Each baptised person shares in Christ s priesthood according to his/her state of life

3 As a community the people shared in this priestly mediation You will be my treasured possession, although the whole earth is mine. You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites (Exodus 19:3-6).

4 All the baptised share in Jesus priestly mediation Jesus invites us to love one another as he has loved us. He makes it possible by sharing with us his Spirit, such that the love which God had for Jesus is poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5). This was in answer to the prayer of Jesus with which John concludes his account of the Last Supper: May the love with which you loved me be in them, and may I be in them (John 17:26). Thanks to this Spirit we can share in Jesus mediation of love.

5 Each of the baptised shares in Jesus life and mission and so in his priesthood. Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1Peter 2:5). You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God s own people (1Peter 2:9 = Exodus 19:6). Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead loves us, and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father (Apocalypse 1:5-6).

6 All the baptised share in Jesus priestly mediation WORD Way Will Blessing Forgiveness Priest Sanctuary In God s presence People We are to live our lives in the sanctuary of union with Jesus in God s presence. We are to mediate God s word, God s will, and God s blessing to the world. We are to mediate God s forgiveness, to reconcile the world with God, to draw people to a life of faith in God and love for each other, and so to effect redemption for mankind.

7 All the baptised share in Jesus priestly mediation Priest Sanctuary In God s presence We are called to offer prayer and praise to God, to offer ourselves as a spiritual sacrifice, and to draw others into communion with God. SACRIFICE Self offering Prayer We are to show that God delights in those he has made. People

8 Christians participate in the priestly mediation of Christ in various ways. God (Father) Power Ministry Charism Lord (Son) Spirit There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; there are varieties of ministries, but the same Lord; there are varieties of ways of exercising power, but it is the same God who inspires them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1Corinthians 12:4-7).

9 A baptised person is in a sacramental consecration to Christ. We are to be in God s sanctuary, living a holy life in God s presence. Only from within the sanctuary can a priest mediate Jesus had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a compassionate and faithful/ trustworthy high priest in the service of God (Hebrews 2:17). We are to be faithful / trustworthy, witnessing that it is indeed God s word that we are mediating to the community We are to be compassionate, witnessing that we are indeed in communion with the people whose self-offering we are mediating to God.

10 I anoint you PROPHET The baptised share in the ministry of Jesus the Prophet Prophet, Mediator of God s Word Hebrews 4:12-13 The word of God is living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is no creature that is hidden from God; all is laid bare before God. The word faces us towards God.

11

12 I anoint you KING The baptised share in the ministry of Jesus the King Mission Jesus called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message (Mark 3:13-14). As the Father sent me, I am sending you (John 20:21). The Church addresses people with full respect for their freedom. This mission does not restrict freedom but rather promotes it. The Church proposes; it imposes nothing. The Church respects individuals and cultures and honours the sanctuary of conscience (John-Paul II RM 39).

13 Through the action of the Holy Spirit the Good News takes shape in human minds and hearts and extends through history. In all of this it is the Holy Spirit who gives life (JPII Mission of the Redeemer n. 21). The ultimate purpose of mission is to enable people to share in the communion which exists between the Father and the Son. (JPII Mission of the Redeemer n. 23)