HEART OF CATECHESIS THE BAPTISM OF JESUS & THE TEMPTATION IN THE DESERT JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 5 FORGIVENESS OF SINS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT John the Baptist may have been viewed as crazy by the people of his time. He wore strange clothes and ate bugs. In addition he appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1:4) The Old Testament Book of Leviticus describes how sacrifices should be offered for sins. The sin offering had three major requirements; first something was offered as a sacrifice, this was usually a bull, goat or lamb. The second requirement was that the substitute was without blemish, which symbolized purity and holiness. After the animal was selected and approved, the guilt and sin of the person was transferred upon the animal by the priest laying his hands on the head of the animal. The final requirement was death; the substitute had to die. The bull, goat, or lamb received the punishment for those who had broken the covenant with God. We begin to understand the meaning of John s proclamation when he sees Jesus, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) DID YOU KNOW? In the Church s Liturgical year we only celebrate the births of three people: Jesus Mary John the Baptist PARENTS & CATECHISTS READING REFLECTION & PRAYER Sacred Scripture MATTHEW 3:1-17 MATTHEW 4:1-11 Catechism of the Catholic Church #535-540 #1214, 1223, 1263 #1264, 1268, 1272 The Baptism of Jesus The Devil Tempts Jesus in the Desert What are the dates?
Page 2 THE BAPTISM OF JESUS & THE TEMPTATION IN THE DESERT Sacred Scripture Grades K-4 New Catholic Picture Bible pp. 112-115 Baptism and Temptation Grades 5-12 MATTHEW 3:1-17 The Baptism of Jesus MATTHEW 4:1-11 The Devil Tempts Jesus Catechism STUDENTS READING REFLECTION & PRAYER Grades K-2 First Communion Catechism pp. 35-37 Grades 3-6 Baltimore Catechism #1 pp. 77 Grades 7-12 Catechism of the Catholic Church #535-540 #1214, 1223, 1263 #1264, 1268, 1272, TEACHING STRATEGY & OBJECTIVES THEME: OBJECTIVES: JESUS WAS TEMPTED, YET NEVER SINNED JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF ALL GRACE AND THE SACRAMENTS To look at the baptismal moment of Christ and see how the mystery of the Holy Trinity and the Sacraments come together in Him Review the SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM with its MATTER, FORM, and EFFECT Consider the Temptation of Jesus in the desert and to recognize the characteristics and strategies of the Devil OPENING PRAYER: DECADE OF THE ROSARY- THE FIRST LUMINOUS MYSTERY THE BAPTISM OF JESUS Baptism of Christ Francesco Albani, 1600
JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 5 Page 3 REVIEW DEAR CATECHISTS TRY A SHORTER AND MORE CONCISE REVIEW THIS WEEK. YOU COULD DO THE FOLLOWING IN WRITING OR ORALLY AS A GROUP. WHAT ARE THE TWO CENTRAL MYSTERIES OF OUR FAITH? THE HOLY TRINITY AND THE INCARNATION HAVE THE CLASS FILL IN THE BLANKS: REVIEW: HOLY TRINITY THERE IS ONE WHO IS THREE DIVINE PERSONS. GOD THE, GOD THE AND GOD THE HOLY. GOD THE FATHER THE FIRST PERSON OF THE HOLY THE ALMIGHTY OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. JESUS CHRIST THE SECOND PERSON OF THE HOLY MADE MAN THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF GOD. THE INCARNATION JESUS CHRIST IS AND THE SON OF GOD BECAME THE SON OF AND THE BECAME AND DWELT AMONG US. ETERNAL WITHOUT BEGINNING OR ; ONLY ALWAYS, AND ALWAYS WILL CREATE TO MAKE SOMETHING FROM ; ONLY CAN CREATE
JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 5 Page 4 OPENING QUESTION FOR THE CLASS WHEN DID JESUS BEGIN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY? The best estimate is that at the age of 33, in December of the year 27 AD, Jesus Christ began His Public Ministry. Two and a half years later, in April of the year 30 AD, He was Crucified...and Rose from the Dead. IN THESE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE PASSAGES AND MANY OTHER PASSAGES WE WILL BE STUDYING THIS YEAR, THERE ARE RATHER OBSCURE VERSES, WHICH DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS, CAN T BE DISCUSSED. AS REVIEW: YOU PREPARE YOUR LESSON, YOU MAY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE SECTIONS YOU THINK SHOULD BE READ OUT LOUD IN CLASS...AND MARK IN SOME OTHER WAY THOSE PASSAGES WHICH WOULD BE OF LITTLE SIGNIFICANCE OR INTEREST TO YOUR KIDS. YOU MAY WANT TO READ CERTAIN VERSES YOURSELF, AND WITH OTHER VERSES SHARE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH ABLE STUDENTS. KEEP AN EYE AND EAR OUT FOR PROSPECTIVE LECTORS! READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE BAPTISM OF JESUS MATTHEW 3:1-17 WHO IS JOHN THE BAPTIST? John is the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah. He is the cousin of Jesus. He is the herald foretold by the prophet Isaiah [See IS 40:3]. WHAT IS A HERALD? A herald is someone who comes before a very important person to announce their coming and help prepare the people for his arrival [or His Advent]. WHAT DOES JOHN MEAN WHEN HE TELLS THE PEOPLE TO REPENT? [v. 2] Repentance and reform refer to changing one s way of living and loving trying to leave sin behind and striving to become holy. WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? [v. 2] Also called the Kingdom of God the Kingdom of Heaven refers to the age of grace, hope, and salvation which dawned on the world when God became man in Jesus Christ. Saint John The Baptist Preaching Francois Chauveau, 1677 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF JOHN S DRESS AND BEHAVIOR? Wandering the deserts, clothed in camel s hair and sandals, dining on locusts and wild honey...john s manner of dressing and his way of life are a reminder to the people of Israel of the prophets of old...especially the prophet Elijah [2 Kings 1:7-8]. A prophet s duty is to challenge the people of his age to reject sin and to be faithful to God. Often their words and prophecies address problems of their own times...and also a hint at what may be in the future.
Page 5 THE BAPTISM OF JESUS & THE TEMPTATION IN THE DESERT HOW WILL THE BAPTISM OF THE CHRIST SURPASS IN POWER THE BAPTISM OF JOHN? John says it best: I am baptizing you with water, for the sake of repentance, but the One who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire [V. 11]. John s baptism was a sign of repentance and merely helped to wash away sin...the Sacrament of Baptism which comes from Jesus washes away the guilt of Original Sin, emblazons a character on our soul, makes us children of God, and breathes the fire of the Holy Spirit into our souls. WHAT IS JOHN S REACTION WHEN HE SEES THAT JESUS IS COMING TO HIM FOR BAPTISM? He tries to prevent it...and says that it is Jesus who should be baptizing him. WHAT DID JESUS SAY IN RESPONSE TO JOHN? [v.15] Visual Bible Alive ALLOW IT FOR NOW; FOR THUS IT IS FITTING FOR US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is a part of His Father s Plan that Jesus be baptized. WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO BE BAPTIZED? Jesus had no need Himself for forgiveness He was untouched by Original Sin and never committed a sin. He acted in obedience to His Father to provide a sign of what must be for those who follow Him. The waters themselves were made holy by touching Him. By allowing Himself to be baptized with John s baptism of repentance, Jesus gave us the first Sacrament Baptism. WHAT IS A SACRAMENT AND WHAT IS BAPTISM? SACRAMENT AN OUTWARD SIGN FROM JESUS WHICH GIVES GRACE GRACE THE LIFE AND LOVE OF GOD WITHIN US BAPTISM THE SACRAMENT IN WHICH THE GUILT OF ORIGINAL SIN IS WASHED AWAY, WE BECOME THE CHILDREN OF GOD, AND THE INDWELLING PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS BREATHED INTO OUR SOULS WHAT ARE THE MATTER AND FORM FOR BAPTISM? MATTER WHAT IS USED TO MAKE A SACRAMENT PRESENT FORM WHAT IS SAID AND DONE WITH THE MATTER TO MAKE A SACRAMENT PRESENT The MATTER for Baptism is water. The FORM for Baptism is the triple pouring of water on the head of the person being baptized together with the words, I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Page 6 THE BAPTISM OF JESUS & THE TEMPTATION IN THE DESERT WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF BAPTISM? EFFECT WHAT A SACRAMENT DOES FOR THE PERSON RECEIVING IT The effects of Baptism are: The guilt of Original Sin is washed away ORIGINAL SIN MAN DISOBEYED GOD IN THE BEGINNING AND BROUGHT SIN, SUFFERING, AND DEATH INTO THE WORLD An indelible mark or character is emblazoned on the soul which -conforms us to Christ -makes us adopted children of our Father in Heaven -gives us the power to worship God the Holy Spirit is breathed into our soul in an abiding way. It is as if His presence allows us to participate in the Life and Love of God. He becomes THE SOUL OF OUR SOUL. HOW IS THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY TRINITY REVEALED AT THIS MOMENT IN JESUS LIFE? Jesus, the Son of God, is standing by the waters which were made holy by His Baptism. God the Holy Spirit, descends upon Him in the form of a Dove...and the voice of God the Father from the heavens declares that Jesus is His Beloved Son. THE HOLY TRINITY THERE IS ONE GOD WHO IS THREE DIVINE PERSONS, GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. The scripture citation that we shall use to remind us of this CENTRAL MYSTERY OF OUR FAITH is MT 3. READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE DEVIL TEMPTS JESUS IN THE DESERT MATTHEW 4:1-11 WHO DRIVES JESUS OUT INTO THE DESERT? God the Holy Spirit. It is part of the Father s Plan for Jesus to be tested in this way. HOW DOES JESUS PREPARE FOR THE CONFRONTATION WITH THE DEVIL? He fasted [went without eating] for 40 days. This is physically possible without Jesus working a miracle so He was really hungry. Christ in the Desert Ivan Kramskoi, 1872 WHO IS THE DEVIL? The devil was created by God, a beautiful and powerful angel named Lucifer [his name means bearer of light ]. Tradition assigns him a place in the choir of angels called the Seraphim the fiery ones who closely resembled God in their glory. Lucifer desired to be worshiped as a god himself, and led a rebellion of the Heavenly Host [an army of angels] against God. St. Michael the Archangel cast him out of heaven. Now he is known as Satan, The Tempter or The Adversary, and attempts to destroy all that is Good, True and Beautiful in God s Creation.
JESUS CHRIST...SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN Lesson 5 Page 7 IS THE DEVIL AS POWERFUL AS GOD? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since the devil was created by God from nothing, he is infinitely beneath God in dignity and power. But powerful he is still possessing many of the abilities and powers with which God endowed him. Now he uses those powers for evil. Temptation is one of those powers; he tries to trick us into doing evil. WHAT IS THE DEVIL S FIRST TEMPTATION FOR JESUS? [v. 3] If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread. The devil may not have known that Jesus was the Son of God, a Divine Person. He may not have known the Mystery of the Holy Trinity! This temptation may be the devil s way to see just how powerful Jesus is, and attempt to trick Jesus into focusing on man s need for food and other material needs, rather than our need to be holy. WHAT IS JESUS RESPONSE? [v. 4] MAN DOES NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD. This response is interesting because Jesus IS THE WORD that comes from the mouth of God. One day HE WILL BE BREAD to be eaten The Bread of Life in the Holy Eucharist. WHAT IS THE SECOND TEMPTATION? [v. 6] The devil took Jesus to the top of the Temple tower and tempts Jesus by quoting the Bible [Psalm 91:11 ff], If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, He will command His angels concerning you, and with their hands they will support you lest you dash your foot against a stone. The devil wanted Jesus to leap off the top of the temple and to float down in front of everyone to show off and to win crowds of followers by impressing them with super powers. This was not the Father s Plan the Messiah was destined to suffer for the sins of mankind and give His life as a ransom for many. This is an example of how even the devil quotes the Bible when it suits his purposes. We must know the Bible...not merely quote it! WHAT IS THE THIRD TEMPTATION? The worst of all to worship Lucifer in order to be rewarded with political power in the world. Jesus responds angrily, GET AWAY SATAN! IT IS WRITTEN, THE LORD YOUR GOD SHALL YOU WORSHIP AND HIM ALONE SHALL YOUR SERVE! HOW DOES THE DEVIL TEMPT US? Simply put, he tries to trick us into doing evil. The devil and his dark angels have limited access to our minds [through memory and imagination] and our passions [appetite for food, possessions or pleasure...and emotions like anger and fear]. The devil tries to fool us into thinking our desires and appetites are more important than God s Will. If we act against God s Will, we sin, and become less like God and more like the devil. All the Kingdoms of the World Ary Scheffer, 1854
ADVANCED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS JESUS IS GOD WAS HE REALLY TEMPTED? HOW DID HE EXPERIENCE TEMPTATION? Jesus was really tempted, as we see in the passage below, but He did not experience temptation in the same way that we do. Two passages in the Letter to the Hebrews speak of this.. Since he was himself tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are tempted. [HEB 2:18] AND For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet never sinned. [HEB 4:15] Jesus was not subject to Original Sin, so He did not possess a fallen human nature, but a perfect human nature. He would have been aware of temptation, and may have allowed Himself to experience its attraction but would not have given in to it. We see Jesus tempted again AND TERRIBLY in the Garden of Gethsemane. Again, He obeys His Father s Will, rather than subjecting Himself to the powers of hell.