Episode 04: Jesus, the Son, Flesh and Bone
The Word Become Flesh
An opening mediation
“For years I bore the crippling weight of anger, bitterness and resentment toward those who caused my suffering. Yet as I look back over a spiritual journey that has spanned more than three decades, I realize the same bombs that caused so much pain and suffering also brought me to a place of great healing. Those bombs led me to Jesus Christ. ”
Who is Jesus Christ?
And Jesus went on with his disciples, to the villages of Caesare′s Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Eli′jah; and others one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." And he charged them to tell no one about him. (Mark 8:27-30)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
9 The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. 11 He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. 15 (John bore witness to him, and cried, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.’”) 16 And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.”
Thus the Gospel of John begins, echoing the writer of the book of Genesis. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. And yet already he was not alone, for in the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God. There from the very start is a relationship and in that relationship; love. This is how the Good News of the Gospel begins.
Last week we spent a lot of time contemplating how God reveals himself to us out of his desire to be a personal God. A God who speaks to his people, who offers them a covenant relationship with him. Here in the Gospel of John we come to understand the fullness of that Revelation. God comes to meet us in the flesh.
The Incarnation of Christ is one of the greatest mysteries of the Faith. It defies our human reason. Why would the all powerful Creator of the Universe wish to become small and so insignificant as a human? Humans when they are small only want to become big. But the reverse is not true. Humans when they are big never want to be reduced again. This is true both in size and in stature. When we are children we long to adults, to be treated with deference. The same is true of our social standing. Once we are popular, no one ever wants to return to being unpopular.
Yet here, God is defying human logic and proving just how all powerful he is really. He freely becomes small, contained in a comparably feeble human shell. Truly, his ways are not our ways. How can this not be the ultimate expression of love? He comes to meet us, to walk a mile in our shoes. He comes to show us how to live.
The example of Christ is admittedly a hard road to follow. Pick up your cross and follow me. Yet we are drawn there. Our reason tells us to look for the truth to follow it where ever it leads. But what are you following when you follow the truth? The Gospel of John here tells us that we are following Christ. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father" (John 1:14).
Final Thought for Mediation:
The Word became flesh to save us from sin and reconcile us to God. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
By the Incarnation we are made aware of the depth of God's love for us. "in this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him." (1 John 4:9)
When the Son of God became man he became a model of holiness for us. "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you." (John 15:12).
God became man that we may partake in the divine nature. "He has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4)
Weekly
Prayer
Intentions
To be prayed daily
Pause for some silence
Pause for some silence
The Sign of the Cross
Start by touching your right hand to your forehead, then your stomach, followed by your left and right shoulders while saying "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen"
God, you walk the ways of men (Saint Pope John Paul II)
Merciful God and Father, creator of heaven and earth, You have created man and woman in your own image.
You are close to the people of ever nation And of every age. We praise you.
You have chosen Israel as your people And made an enduring covenant with them. In the fullness of time you sent Jesus, your Son,
And in him walked in the ways of me. We thank you.
In the power of the Spirit you accompany your Church. You bestow on her the abundance of his gifts. She is the Church of saints and sinners, But you remain true to her on the way Into the third millennium. We trust in you.
Let your Kingdom become tangible even in our time Through truth and love among men, Through justice and peace between nations. We ask you this through Jesus Christ, Our brother and Lord.
Amen.
Specific intentions:
For each of us, that we will mutually encourage and support one another in growing in our faith and love for the Lord.
Lord, help me to accept the wonderful gift of salvation you offer me through your own death and resurrection.
Lord, help me to my life and actions around the perfect example of humanity that you provide us.
Personal intentions:
Please add your own intentions here.
Our Father:
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Glory Be:
Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end, Amen.
Weekly
Journal
Prompt
Weekly Readings
With this week's readings we have been thinking about the example Christ left for us as how humanity should live. Following his example isn't always easy. When Jesus says our discipleship involves the Cross, what does this mean for you? In what ways do you find yourself resisting this part of Christ's call? What is your "way of the Cross"? Take a few minutes to write down your thoughts on these personal reflections.
Click on the Link to download each of the articles for further reading this week.
Jesus, the Man
Who is Jesus? Click here to download
Jesus: The Sacrificial Lamb
Why Jesus died for us. Click here to download
Jesus: Following his example
What does it mean to be Christ Like? Click here to download
Weekly Activity:
Christ's Redemptive Work
“Let us stretch ourselves, going beyond our comfort zones to unite ourselves with Christ’s redemptive work. We unite ourselves with Christ’s redemptive work when we make peace, when we share the good news that God is in our lives, when we reflect to our brothers and sisters God’s healing, God’s forgiveness, God’s unconditional love. Let us break bread together. Let us relive the holy and redemptive mystery. Let us do it in memory of him, acknowledging in faith his real presence on our altars.”
This week's task is straight forward. You are to share in Christ's redemptive work.
There is no better way to spend time with someone than to share a meal with them. This we do exactly this. Pick a meal this week and set it aside for some one on one time with someone special. Maybe this person needs your attention because you have fences to mend in your relationship, maybe this person needs your attention because they are struggling and need some support, maybe this person needs your attention simply because they are lonely. Make a little time for them.
Invite this person to share a meal with you. This can be in the dining hall, or your eating club, or if it easier to go off campus so as to actually be alone that is fine too.
Use the time for real connection. Leave your phone out of the conversation. Face down on the table isn't far enough. Keep it in your bag. Encourage your friend to do the same.
Do you need to ask for forgiveness or to forgive them? Then do it at the beginning of the meal, so you can clear the air and spend the meal capable of really enjoying one another's company.
Spend the time discussing how they are, and avoid discussing other people, especially if the discussion is negative or gossipy.
Share with them how you are doing. Do you have good news to share? Share it and all the blessing God has put in your life this week.
Simply be open, honest, and available. This is the example Christ gives us.
Enjoy your meal.