Learn by Topic: Strength

4
February

Jesus vs. 3000 demons. Guess who wins.

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Over the past few days there have been a number of posts that emphasize the strength and power of Jesus.  Today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 5:1-20) gives an incredible demonstration of the power of Jesus Christ.   (more…)

2
February

The Muscular Jesus

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Christ's armSince the Resurrection, there have been a seemingly never-ending stream of people who wish to promote a Jesus to their liking, rather than Jesus as He is and as He is faithfully passed on by the Church.

Whether they realize it or not, those who seek to promote a Jesus to their liking are participating in Satan’s game plan to diminish and distort Christ.  Satan would love to weaken Christ, at least in the minds of poorly catechized people.

A brief survey of the internet turn up all kinds of heretical portrayals of Jesus: a “soft” Jesus who tolerates all kinds of sin, a feminist Jesus, a gay Jesus, the “Che Gueverra” Jesus; Jesus 2000 (Jesus presented as a subSaharan black African female); the list is long, for there are many many confused and devious people in the world.

One common meme that has been a pervasive weed are the attempts to feminize Jesus: it is in art, writing and movements.

Jesus was not feminine and those who suggest such things ignorant of Scripture, Jewish culture, history and Church Tradition. (more…)

1
February

The Physical Jesus Christ

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caravaggio__flagellation_of_christ_by_4rtist-d4sjt1sThe Purposeful Incarnation of Jesus Christ

As part of God’s plan of sheer goodness, the Father sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Savior (CCC 1).  In the Incarnation (meaning, the ‘act of being made flesh’), God purposefully chose to come to Man (CCC 456).  By becoming flesh, Jesus demonstrates God’s love (CCC 458), so that Man might have a perfect model of how to love God and neighbor (CCC 459) and so that Man might be able to participate in God’s divine nature, becoming adopted children of God (CCC 460).

The Importance of the Physical Jesus Christ

The Church places a great emphasis on the importance of Christ’s physical body.  (more…)

16
January

The Incredible Stamina of Jesus

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Today’s Gospel from the Mass (Mark 1:29-39) gives an insight into the incredible stamina that Jesus Christ demonstrated:

[32]That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.  [33] And the whole city was gathered together about the door.  [34] And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.   [35]  And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. [36] And Simon and those who were with him pursued him,  [37] and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.”  [38] And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.”  [39] And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
While the great endurance of Jesus is often recognized during the Passion, it is sometimes easy to miss the fact that Jesus Christ as a very robust man:
  • The Gospel begins at sundown, after Jesus has already put in a long day.  Evidently, He was not tired.
  • Even after dinner (Peter’s mother-in-law had finished serving them meals: Mark 1:31), the crowds were there, seeking to have Jesus heal the many sick and demon possessed.
  • It seems likely that healing the many people was extremely tiring; imagine today’s emergency room doctors are pretty tired after a 16 hour double shift.
  • Despite working late, Jesus is up way before dawn, went off to pray.  Perhaps Jesus was asking the Father for strength to carry on.
  • Simon and everyone pursue Jesus, even as He is seeking to pray.
  • Jesus doesn’t resist; in fact, He is ready to continue His grueling pace across Galilee.

It should not surprise us that Jesus had incredible stamina and endurance.  He is the Son of Man, after all.

22
June

The Power of Jesus Christ

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jesus-cleanses-the-temple-john-2-13e2809322-esv-jesus-in-the-no-spin-zone-part-one-jesus-the-unexpected-revolutionary-christ-cleansing-the-temple-1875-by-carl-heinrich-bloch-1834Man’s Feeble Power

Since the fall of Man in Eden, men have pursued power to fulfill selfish desires.  “Power” comes from the Latin, potis, meaning, “to be able” and “strength, vigor and control”.  Men seek power to in an attempt to control other men (political, economic), natural resources (land, resources) and even life itself (longevity, health).  Through the acquisition and use of power, men hope to increase physical pleasure (wealth, possessions, sensual, sexual) and emotional/mental pleasure (enjoyment, pride, greed, lust).

Man’s pursuit of power is futile for it does not lead to lasting happiness due to Original Sin.  Modern Man has gained some control over nature (agriculture, weather, nuclear science, manufacturing), human life (genetics, medical technology) and over the pursuit of happiness (psychology, philosophy, communications and media).  But Man’s growing power through advancements in science/technology has not made Man happy.  Man’s power is feeble, for it offers only the emptiness in possessions, the discomfort of conflict/war, the temporary indulgence of selfish desire and can not avoid the finality of death.  Man’s futile grasping for power does not bring lasting peace and joy.

Awed by the Power of Jesus Christ

(more…)