Chapter X

the life of chr ist

“Let the little children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). Mothers

present their children to Jesus as two disapproving disciples look on. Window by Emil Frei Stained Glass of St. Louis, Mo, in St. Lawrence Church, Price Hill.

188

In keeping communion with his people, God, who Himself is a communion of persons, gave the world His only begotten Son. In God’s own Son, Jesus, God found one who would listen, one

whose answer to God was always “yes” (see 2 Corinthians 1:19).

Jesus’ “yes” to His Father’s will is the model for all of us. He is the model for children, called to be obedient to their parents. He is the model for young people, who must discern their gifts and their calling. He is the model for adults, who, in fidelity to their specific vocation, must serve others humbly. He is the model for the elderly, who, after a life of faithful service, must embrace bodily death to enter eternal life.

In the Resurrection of Jesus, humanity is raised to new life. In His Ascension to heaven, humanity is now seated at God’s right hand. When He returns in glory, it will be to gather the faithful into His Heavenly Kingdom. What we lost in the garden of Eden, was restored to us in the garden where Jesus was laid in the tomb. Mary Magdalen went to that garden, early in the morning on the first day of the week (see John 20:1). Expecting to find death, she instead found the risen Christ, who sent her forth to bring the good news to those who would eventually spread this “Word of God” throughout the entire world.

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His

life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Window by Emil Frei Stained Glass of

St. Louis, Mo, in St. Ursula Academy

Chapel, East Walnut Hills.

189

190

aboveThe Child Jesus holds a wooden cross as Mary and Joseph look on in

wonder. Window designed by William Zettler of Riordan Art Glass of Middletown,

Oh, in St. Matthew Church, Norwood, Oh (now Immaculate Conception Parish).

opposite page“And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?’” (Luke 2:49). Window by F.X. Zettler

of Munich, Germany, in St. Francis de Sales Church, East Walnut Hills.

191

193

3)Our)Father)#

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name;

Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

opposite pageJesus is afloat with the apostles on a roiling sea, whose

deep water symbolizes chaos. Window by Franz Mayer

of Munich, Germany, in St. Andrew Church, Avondale.

above“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17 and Matthew 4:19). Mural by Leon Lippert in

Sacred Heart Church, Bellevue, Ky (now Divine Mercy Parish).

194

3)Jesus)Blesses)the)little)Children)#

matthew 19:13–15

Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.

But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.

aboveChildren and their mothers surround Jesus. Detail of window

by Riordan Art Glass of Middletown, Oh, in Immaculate Conception

Chapel, Motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity, Delhi Township, Oh.

opposite pageArms open wide, Jesus welcomes infants and children, as their mothers kneel before him. Window by Emil Frei Stained

Glass of St. Louis, Mo, in St. Ursula Academy Chapel, East Walnut Hills.

195

3)Jesus)enters)Jerusalem)#

mark 11:9–10

Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord;

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus rides into Jerusalem in triumph as cheering crowds lay down cloaks, palm and tree branches before him. Traditionally, Jesus’ arrival on a donkey instead of a horse suggests he came in peace. Mural by Leon Lippert in Sacred Heart Church, Bellevue, Ky (now Divine Mercy Parish).

199

opposite pageJesus lays his healing hands on the sick clustered about his feet, touching his cloak. Window by Franz Mayer

of Munich, Germany, in

Immaculate Conception Chapel,

Motherhouse of the Sisters of

Charity, Delhi Township, Oh.

leftJesus blesses St. Joseph on his deathbed as Mary looks on. St. Joseph is the patron of a happy death. Window by Emil

Frei Stained Glass of St. Louis, Mo,

in Holy Family Church, Price Hill.

200

201

opposite pageThe house of Mary

and Martha. Mary the contemplative sits at Jesus’

feet to hear the word of God, as practical Martha brings a

tray of food she has prepared. Window by Franz Mayer of

Munich, Germany, in St. Andrew

Church, Avondale.

rightJesus appears after his

Resurrection, giving his disciples the gift of the Holy

Spirit (John 20:22–23). Window by Franz Mayer of

Munich, Germany, in old St.

George Church, Clifton Heights.

203

3)niCene)Creed)#

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God, begotten, not made,

one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary,

and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered, died, and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The risen Jesus bursts forth in glory from the tomb, witnessed by an angel, as the waiting Romans recoil in fear and amazement

(Matthew 28:2–10). Window by Franz Mayer of Munich, Germany,

in the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, Ky.