The Early Life of Jesus

Gospel stories of Jesus’ early life

• Infancy Narratives– Matthew– Luke–Written to show who Jesus was

• By presenting his coming using beautiful and miraculous events

• The Annunciation– Jesus’ conception to Mary by the

power of the Holy Spirit• Celebrated March 25

• The Visitation– The recognition of his presence by

Elizabeth and John– Celebrated: May 31

• The Nativity– Jesus’ birth– Celebrated: Dec.25

• The Presentation– Offering Jesus to God in the Temple

• Celebrated: Feb 2• 40 days after his birth• Also known as Candlemas• Story of Simeon Luke 2:29-32

Inerrancy

• Scripture is the word of God expressed in human words

• Infancy narratives – different– Three kings real or not does not

matter– What matters is that Jesus came to

save us.

Mary, a Listener

• Mary said, “yes”• Mother of God• God’s Handmaiden

Privileges given to Mary.

• Catholic Doctrine– The Immaculate Conception

• Mary was born w/o original sin• She was never with sin

– The Virgin Birth• Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy

Spirit

– The Assumption• Mary went to heaven body and soul

Rosemary Koenig

• Raised 4 children• Heard God calling her to serve

others• At 65 with very little money, she

opened a shelter for 8 people with disabilities

• Shelter of God’s Love – Chicago• She listened to God and acted• God worked through her.• She died at 92.

Appearances of Mary

• Our Lady of Guadalupe– She appeared to Juan Diego in

Mexico– She asked him for a church to be built

in honor of her.– Juan went to the bishop and asked

him – Bishop wanted a sign– Mary filled Juan’s cloak with roses.– When Juan opened his cloak the

beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was left on his cloak.

Our Lady of Lourdes

• Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in France

• Mary told Bernadette that she was the Immaculate Conception

• Mary instructed Bernadette to dig for a spring at the grotto.

• Bernadette found a healing spring

Our Lady of Lourdes