20-second Summary
Are We Sure We Know Jesus? St. John, the Beloved Disciple, says we are liars if we say we love Jesus but do not act according to His commandments. How does that work with our sinful nature, our fallen state? This week we explore a part of the readings your homilist may skip – which gives parents a great opportunity to minister to their children. And..ahem…themselves!
Are We Sure We Know Jesus?
When this week is no longer the current Mass, the readings for the Mass can be found here
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DISCUSSION – Do We Know Jesus?
John tells us that “The way we may be sure that we know [Jesus] is to keep his commandments.” And he makes it pretty clear what we are if we say we love Jesus and do not keep his commandments: We are liars.
When we love Jesus with all our heart, all our being, all our strength, all our mind (Luke 10:27) we are incapable of sinning. Because Love is an action, our four attributes of emotional (heart), spiritual (being), physical (strength), and mental (mind) existence are doing all things for and in union – in communion – with Jesus Christ.
We are human, so we are sinners. Can we love Jesus without being liars at the same time?
Our love by definition is inadequate for The Lord. We can, and should, pursue our most perfect way to love Jesus, and when we falter, get back to it immediately, with a sorrow that is true and honest.
And because of our sinfulness, we should listen to the last part of the reading in John this week, to know that our love is nothing The Lord needs because it is not perfect. But by still pursuing perfect love – by us “keeping His word” (His commandments) as best He and we know we can – God will perfect His love in us.
And that is the ultimate joy.
ACTIVITY – How to Get to Know Jesus
Do you know the Kerygma? Kerygma is a Greek word meaning “proclamation”. It refers to the basic Gospel message – also known as the Good News. Practice with your family telling each other the Good News of Jesus Christ. Here’s an example of what you might say:
“God created us out of love, for love. Adam and Eve sinned, turned away from God and listened to Satan. Because of this, all humans have a fallen nature and cannot love perfectly anymore. In the fullness of time, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to become man so that He could save us from our sins and open heaven for us. Jesus loves us so much that He died for us, to take our place receiving the punishment we deserve for our sinfulness. He rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven where He will judge us at the end of our lives. In order to go to heaven, we must accept Jesus’ gift of salvation and live according to God’s commandments: to love God above everyone and everything, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” John 3:16
How do you know Jesus beyond your words?
Kristofer Cowles, MHD
HOO™ Co-Founder | Director of Catechetical Content | Catechist
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Religious Education vs Faith Formation – Episode 94
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What is the difference between Religious Education, Faith Formation, Catechism Class, and CCD?
On the surface, it can appear that they are one and the same;, but there are, in fact, many important differences,
Mom and Dad answer the question and talk about what each of these are and entail – and they have a lot of experience with each of them!
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