Q92 Why did Jesus call apostles?
Jesus had a large circle of disciples around him, both men and women. From this circle he selected twelve men whom he called -> APOSTLES (Lk 6:12 – 16). The apostles were specially trained by him and entrusted with various commissions:” He sent them out to preach the kingdom ofContinue Reading
Q91 But why did Jesus work miracles?
The miracles that Jesus worked were signs that the kingdom of God was beginning. They expressed his love for mankind and reaffirmed his mission. [547-550] Jesus’ miracles were not self-aggrandizing displays of magic. He was filled with the power of God’s healing love. Through his miracles he showed that heContinue Reading
Q90 Did Jesus work miracles, or are they just pious tales?
Jesus really worked miracles, and so did the Apostles. The New Testament authors refer to real incidents. [547-550] Even the oldest sources tell of numerous miracles, event he raising of the dead, as a confirmation of Jesus’ preaching: “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I castContinue Reading
Q89 To whom does Jesus promise “the kingdom of God”?
God wills “all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4). The “kingdom of God” begins in those who allow themselves to be transformed by God’s love. In Jesus’ experience these are above all the poor and lowly. [541-546, 567] Even peopleContinue Reading
Q88 Why was Jesus led into temptation? Could he really be tempted at all?
Jesus was truly human, and as part of that he was truly susceptible to temptation. In Jesus Christ we do not have the sort of redeemer “who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning” (HebContinue Reading
Q87 Why did Jesus allow John to baptize him, although he was without sin?
To baptize means to immerse. In his baptism, Jesus descended into the sinful history of all mankind. By doing so he established a sign. In order to redeem us from our sins, he would one day be submerged in death but, through his Father’s power, reawakened to life. [535-537, 565]Continue Reading
Q86 Why did Jesus wait thirty years to begin his public life?
Jesus wanted to share a normal life with us and thus sanctify our everyday routine. [531-534, 564] Jesus was a child who received love and affection from his parents and was brought up by them. Thus he increased “in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man”Continue Reading
Q85 Why is Mary our mother also?
Mary is our mother because Christ the Lord gave her to us as a mother. [963-966, 973] “Woman, behold, your son!…. Behold, your mother!” (Jn 19:26b-27a). The second command, which Jesus spoke from the Cross to John, has always been understood by the Church as an act of entrusting theContinue Reading
Q84 Was Mary only an instrument of God?
Mary was more than a merely passive instrument of God. The Incarnation of God took place through her active consent as well. [493-494, 508-511] When the angel told her that she would bear “the Son of God”, Mary replied, “Let is be done to me according to your word” (LkContinue Reading
Q83 What does the “Immaculate Conception of Mary” mean?
The Church believes that “the most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin” (Dogma ofContinue Reading
