God Saves! Jesus Christ session (MP3) [58:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The idea of the Incarnation has been at the center of the last few discussions  starting with the session on Advent themes. In the podcasts on Mary, her special role in the way of salvation is established for the incarnation of God in Christ Jesus.  This conversation covers some other aspects of Incarnation revolving around Jesus’ birth.  Following the nativity story, we get to explore various dimensions and meanings of the names and titles ascribed for Jesus as we look at the one who grew in wisdom and knowledge.The most basic belief of all Christians is the Incarnation: the only-begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial (one in being) with the Father ¦ by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the virgin Mary, and became man. What mystery there is in this fact: the great divine being, the supernatural source of love and life, takes on human nature without losing the divine nature!This essential belief to our faith allows perhaps, a first response to the question, “What child is this?” After all, the simple question of Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” opens to all human beings the way of salvation. Whether the answer is affirmative or negating, our journey cannot escape grappling with his question. Down through the centuries Catholics have proclaimed, tested, and affirmed the belief that Jesus is truly human and truly divine at one and the same time. We believe that the divinity and humanity of Christ is inseparable, true and complete.  We believe that our redemption depends on the genuineness of both his manhood and his divinity.In whatever way Jesus, at every stage of human development and life, could relate to the knowledge that as the second person of the Trinity he was united to a human nature, and his human soul knew that it was informed by, and totally united to, divinity, he did so fully. He learned about human life through experience and he did so voluntarily. His willing fully-mature humility in accepting the limitations of a finite creature, brings back together, man and God!We have come to know this Jesus literally, “God saves,” as “Son of God,” “Christ,” and “Lord.” As God-with-us “Emanuel”!, Jesus had to appear to all first simply as s human being, knowing that he had to bring other people to know his divinity. The crowds of people, in every age, indeed, even the apostles, grow in knowledge and understanding of this incarnated knowledge of God. This growth of grace continues and by this grace offered through Christ, God reconciles us and leads us in holy communion as sons and daughters of God!ÂThis conversation covers some other aspects of Incarnation revolving around Jesus’s birth. Following the nativity story, we get to explore various dimensions and meanings of the names and titles ascribed for Jesus as we look at the one who grew in wisdom and knowledge. For the full article go to www.catholicclasses.org.Song 1: “God is with us, Emmanual” by Bethany DillonSong 2: “This is what Love looks like” by For The CauseSong 3: “All that is Hidden” by Helena Buscema & Leslie Smith