RE 104
Sacred Scriptures
May 6, 2025
Important Events
in the Life of Christ
Student Learning Objectives (SLO)
● Discuss the important events in the early life of
Christ.
● Narrate the public life of Jesus.
● Explain how the Synoptic Gospels present the
mysteries of Christ’s life.
Key Event in the Early Life of
Christ
1. Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
Marks the beginning of the Incarnation—God
becomes man.
Shows Mary's complete obedience to God's
will ("Let it be done to me according to your
word").
Highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus'
conception, emphasizing Jesus' divine origin.
2. Nativity (Luke 2:1-20; Matthew
1:18-25)
Fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the
Messiah being born in Bethlehem.
Reveals Jesus' humility—born in a manger,
showing God's closeness to the poor and the
simple.
Proclaims "good news of great joy" for all
people, as announced by the angels.
3. Visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12)
Symbolizes that Jesus is the Savior not just for
the Jews, but for all nations (the Gentiles
included).
The gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh)
represent Jesus' kingship, divinity, and future
suffering.
Shows the contrast between the openness of the
Magi and the hostility of King Herod.
4. Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
Protects Jesus from Herod’s attempt to kill
Him, showing God's providential care.
Fulfills the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I called my
Son” (Hosea 11:1), linking Jesus to Israel’s
history.
Prefigures Jesus’ role as the new Moses who
will lead His people to salvation.
5. Finding in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
First recorded words of Jesus: “Did you not
know I must be about my Father’s business?”
Reveals Jesus’ awareness of His divine identity
and mission even at a young age.
Highlights Jesus’ growth in wisdom and favor
before God and men, showing His full
humanity.
The public life of Jesus
1. Baptism in the Jordan
(Matthew 3:13-17)
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, even though
He is without sin, to show His solidarity with
humanity.
The heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends like a
dove, and the Father’s voice declares, "This is my
beloved Son.“
It marks the formal beginning of Jesus’ public
ministry and reveals His divine Sonship.
2. Temptation in the Desert
(Matthew 4:1-11)
After His baptism, Jesus fasts for 40 days in the
desert and faces temptations from Satan.
He overcomes the temptations to misuse His
power, to seek worldly glory, and to test God.
This shows His complete obedience to the Father
and prepares Him spiritually for His mission.
3. Calling of the Apostles
(Matthew 4:18-22)
Jesus invites ordinary fishermen like Peter,
Andrew, James, and John to follow Him and
become “fishers of men.”
It marks the beginning of the community of
disciples who will continue His mission after His
death and resurrection.
This shows that Jesus' mission is shared with
others from the very beginning.
4. Teachings and Miracles
Teachings: Through parables and sermons (like the
Sermon on the Mount), Jesus teaches about the
Kingdom of God, love, mercy, humility, and
forgiveness.
Miracles: Jesus heals the sick, feeds the hungry,
calms storms, and raises the dead to demonstrate
the power of God's love and to confirm His message.
His words and actions reveal both His compassion
and His divine authority.
5. Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8)
Jesus is transfigured on a mountain before Peter, James,
and John: His face shines like the sun, and His clothes
become dazzling white.
Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the
Prophets.
God the Father again declares Jesus as His beloved Son.
This event strengthens the apostles' faith in Jesus,
especially as they prepare to face His upcoming Passion.
6. Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and
the crowds greet Him with palm branches,
shouting "Hosanna!“
It fulfills Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9)
about the Messiah entering humbly.
It marks the beginning of Holy Week, leading to
Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection — the
climax of His mission.
The Mysteries of Christ’s Life
in the Synoptic Gospels
Understanding the Synoptic
Gospels
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic
Gospels because they "see together" (from the Greek syn =
together, opsis = seeing) — they present a similar account
of the life, teachings, miracles, Passion, death, and
resurrection of Jesus.
Although each Gospel has its own style and emphasis, they
share many common stories, often in the same sequence
and with similar wording.
They help us understand Jesus from slightly different
perspectives, enriching our faith and knowledge of His
mission.
Mysteries Presented in the
Synoptic Gospels
1. Infancy Narratives
Matthew and Luke provide details about Jesus' birth and
early life (Mark starts directly with Jesus’ public ministry).
Though their stories differ (e.g., Matthew focuses on the
visit of the Magi, Luke focuses on the shepherds and the
manger), both affirm the same truth:
Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, born to
save [Link] narratives highlight important themes
like humility (Jesus born in a manger), divine providence,
and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
Mysteries Presented in the
Synoptic Gospels
2. Miracles and Teachings
Throughout Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus performs many miracles:
healing the sick, feeding the hungry, casting out demons, and calming
storms.
His teachings, often given in parables, explain the nature of the
Kingdom of God, calling people to repentance, faith, and love.
The miracles show:
Jesus’ compassion for human suffering.
His divine authority over nature, sickness, sin, and even death.
His mission to bring salvation not only spiritually but to the whole
person (body and soul).
Mysteries Presented in the
Synoptic Gospels
3. Passion, Death, and Resurrection
All three Gospels devote a major part of their writings to Jesus'
Passion (suffering), Death on the cross, and Resurrection.
This is the central mystery of the Christian faith:
Jesus suffers and dies to redeem humanity from sin.
His resurrection on the third day shows victory over sin and
death, opening the way to eternal life for all who believe.
These events fulfill God’s plan of salvation, long foretold by the
prophets.
FINAL TASKS:
FINAL TASK #1
HOLY WEEK DOCUMENTATION
FINAL TASK #2
THE PEOPLE’S POPE: MY PERSONAL REFLECTION
Final Task #3
For each question write a short paragraph (5–7 sentences) describing what you did
and what you learned:
1. Showing Compassion- Perform a simple act of kindness (help a classmate, assist
a family member, comfort a friend). Reflect: How did this make you feel? How
do you think Jesus would react to this situation?
2. Being Obedient and Trusting- Obey a difficult instruction (at home or school)
without complaining. Reflect: What made it hard? How can Mary's "Yes" at the
Annunciation inspire you to obey with trust?
3. Resisting Temptation- Identify one bad habit you want to resist (like gossiping,
laziness, impatience).Try to resist it for a day or a week. Reflect: What helped
you resist? How does remembering Jesus in the desert give you strength?
4. Sharing Your Faith- Share something about Jesus with a younger sibling, cousin,
or friend. Reflect: How did they respond? How did it feel to be like one of the
Apostles sharing the Good News?
(Use 1 whole yellow paper)