WHO IS JESUS: WEEK 1
"JESUS IS FOREVER PURSUING US, ALWAYS TAKING THE INITIATIVE"
INTRODUCTION
I'm very grateful for the beauty of our parish family ... you are a beautiful parish family to be a part of. Specifically, I am grateful for your generosity:
1. Generous with your hearts
2. Generous with your time, involvement
3. Generous with your tithing
Thank you!
TRANSITION INTO SERIES
1. Generous with your hearts
2. Generous with your time, involvement
3. Generous with your tithing
Thank you!
TRANSITION INTO SERIES
Today's Gospel has chilling words: "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." ... "In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:25-33)
Jesus mentions "disciple" or what it takes to be a "disciple" three times in today's Gospel. So, what does it mean to be a disciple?
Being a disciple of Jesus is very different than any other phenomena in religious history. Buddha would never draw attention to himself, he would point you to the "way" that he had found. Mohammad would never draw attention to himself, he would point you to this "revelation" that was given to Him. Confucius would never draw attention to himself, he would point you to the "path" to follow. However, Jesus is very different. He does — intentionally — draw people to Himself.
"But who do you say that I am?"
— Luke 9:20
The disciples didn't follow a teaching, they followed a person. The disciples didn't follow a way of life, they followed a person. The disciples didn't follow a path to inner peace, they followed a person.
"Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction."
— Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, no. 1
INTRODUCTION OF SERIES
It's been on my heart for a while and is needed because of the misrepresentation that we see about Jesus in our culture.
Jesus mentions "disciple" or what it takes to be a "disciple" three times in today's Gospel. So, what does it mean to be a disciple?
Being a disciple of Jesus is very different than any other phenomena in religious history. Buddha would never draw attention to himself, he would point you to the "way" that he had found. Mohammad would never draw attention to himself, he would point you to this "revelation" that was given to Him. Confucius would never draw attention to himself, he would point you to the "path" to follow. However, Jesus is very different. He does — intentionally — draw people to Himself.
"But who do you say that I am?"
— Luke 9:20
The disciples didn't follow a teaching, they followed a person. The disciples didn't follow a way of life, they followed a person. The disciples didn't follow a path to inner peace, they followed a person.
"Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction."
— Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, no. 1
INTRODUCTION OF SERIES
For the next five weeks we will unpack perhaps the most important question in all of Christianity: "Who is Jesus?"
It's been on my heart for a while and is needed because of the misrepresentation that we see about Jesus in our culture.
WHO IS GOD?
God is love. Pure love. God desires to love. God desires to be in communion. God desires to be known. Thus, as God is pure desire, God is always taking the initiative. It was God’s initiative in Creation. It was God's initiative in forming a Chosen people. It was God’s initiative in the incarnation. It was God’s initiative in your conception. You exist only because of God's desire and God's initiative.
CORE MESSAGE
CORE MESSAGE
God always takes the initiative. Jesus is always taking the initiative.
UNPACKING THE CORE MESSAGE IN ORDINARY LIFE
- When God seems silent, or hidden, or inactive, or distant: Jesus is always taking the initiative.
- When you need a prayer answered … or need direction … or need a way out: Jesus is always taking the initiative.
- When you feel in sin … or unlovable … or alone: Jesus is always taking the initiative.
Two things:
1. Ask yourself, where do you need Jesus to take the initiative.
2. Come to Oremus this Wednesday at 6:30 PM.
CONCLUSION
1. Ask yourself, where do you need Jesus to take the initiative.
2. Come to Oremus this Wednesday at 6:30 PM.
CONCLUSION
When you're lost, and need a way, put yourself in a position to be found.
Recorded Sunday, September 8, 2013 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana. © Fr. Mark Toups, 2013
