A Symbol for “Christ”
The Jewish people awaited God’s anointed one (or in Hebrew, “Messiah,”) a priest, prophet, and king who would lead and save them. Jesus, anointed by the Holy Spirit and God the Father’s favor, was that promised Messiah. In Greek, the word for “anointed one” is “Christos,” spelled “ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ.” (Thus, “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name, but rather his title.) The Chi-Rho symbol merges the first two letters of this Greek word as a symbol for “Christ.”
In the Synoptic Gospels, some Sadducees come forward to challenge Jesus about his teachings on the resurrection. The Sadducees were an upper class Jewish sect of Jesus’ day. Despite disbelieving many popular Jewish beliefs, they dominated the Jews’ religious and political leadership in Jerusalem.
The Sadducees only accepted the Bible’s first five books as inspired and rejected any religious teachings they could not find there; including angels, life after death, and the resurrection of the dead. This is why when the Sadducees try to use an absurd (polyandrous) example to mock Jesus’ belief in the resurrection, he replies by citing the scene of Moses and burning bush from Exodus—a book of Scripture they accept.
The Sadducees administered in the Temple, often served as its priests, and were numerous on the Jewish high counsel—the Sanhedrin—which would go on to condemn Jesus to death for blasphemy. Jesus, however, would go on to demonstrate his contention that “the dead will rise” in his own person.
Based upon the Shroud of Turin, Jesus grew to an adult height of between 5’8″ to 6’1″. (It’s actually a much trickier problem than just measuring the shroud image from head to toe.) On the other hand, in a resurrected body, I suspect someone can be whatever height he or she would like.
Simon the Pharisee missed his opportunity. He invited Jesus to his house, but neglected to provide him water for his feet, oil for his head, or a kiss of greeting. Maybe Simon was preoccupied and the oversight was accidental, or maybe the discourtesy was intended, but in any case Simon failed to minister to Jesus from head to toe, he missed this chance to show him love.
We, however, are offered Simon’s opportunity every day, for the members of Christ’s body are in our midst. When we serve and greet them, his high and his lowly, we are serving and loving him. Whatever you do for one of the least brothers of his, you do for him. (Matthew 25:40)
The Lord Jesus recently hosted a dinner party in Heaven to which he invited some of his friends. As they reclined at table, an angel serving in the kitchen became curious as to who was in attendance and snuck the briefest of glances. It wasn’t long enough to immediately identify those around the table, but his angelic intellect was able to intuit a number of facts about them. From this, the angel deduced who the famous saints and blesseds were and where they sat with Jesus.
Can you solve the angel’s puzzle?
Puzzle Solution [Highlight to Reveal]: (By Seat Number) 1. St. John the Baptist 2. St. Paul 3. Blessed John Paul II 4. St. Peter 5. Blessed John XXIII 6. St. Mary Magdalene 7. The Blessed Virgin Mary 8. The Lord Jesus Christ (Other valid, though more obscure, answers are possible.)
Recently we noted that A.D. signifies that we are living in the 2,013th “Year of our Lord.” Today we present the meanings behind other enigmatic Catholic acronyms & symbols.
INRI = “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews”
At the crucifixion, Pilate ordered a sign to be written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin and placed atop Jesus’ cross to display the charge against him. The Latin read “Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum,” from which INRI comes. Though the punishment of Jesus was unjust, this charge against him was true.
CCD = “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine”
In other words, a group in service of teaching the faith to children.
RCIA=“Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults”
The process, involving lessons and sacraments, by which adults and older youths are gradually introduced into full communion with the faith of Christ’s Roman Catholic Church.
IHS = “Jesus”
In Greek, the name Jesus is ΙΗΣΟΥΣ. These first three letters were Latinized into “IHS,” forming a symbol for the Holy Name of Jesus.
☧ = “Christ”
In Greek, the title Christ, or “anointed one,” is ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ. These first two letters, the Chi and Rho, were merged to form a symbol for Christ known as the Chi-Rho.
= “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior”
The fish was an early Christian symbol containing a summary of the faith. The letters of the Greek word for fish, ΙΧΘΥΣ (or “ichthys,”) are an acronym for the phrase above.
In his time, Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunk, a sinner, a madman, a blasphemer, an insurrectionist, a false prophet, & demon-possessed. (And these are just some of the slanders that were included in the Gospels. Imagine what was left out!) Jesus was not surprised by these hostile reactions; he understood human nature well.
In our time, terrible things are constantly said about the Church and her leaders. Remember when Pope Benedict was even accused of being a Nazi? Is there any “controversial” teaching for which the world does not condemn the Church as being hateful, hypocritical, or cruel? We will experience hostility personally as well for standing with Jesus’ Church, but this should not surprise us. The Body of Christ, the Church, will share the experiences of Jesus Christ, our Head.
As Jesus said, “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. … If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. …In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
The Beatitudes of Jesus are autobiographical:
Jesus was poor in spirit.
Jesus mourned.
Jesus was meek.
Jesus hungered and thirsted for righteousness.
Jesus was merciful.
Jesus was clean of heart.
Jesus was a peacemaker.
Jesus was persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
Jesus was insulted and persecuted and had every kind of evil uttered against him falsely.
Jesus’ saints are people like him, and they share in his reward:
Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
They are now comforted.
They inherit the land.
They are now satisfied.
They have been shown mercy.
They now see God.
They are his children.
Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
And their reward is great in heaven.
Today, St. Paul told the Corinthians: “Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement.” If you and I share in Christ’s likeness, we too will share in the reward that belongs to Jesus and his saints.
Today, Jesus ascends with his human nature into heaven. He takes his seat at the right hand of the Father. There Jesus enjoys the greatest honor and intimacy with his Father and from heaven he reigns and intercedes for us. Yet I wonder on this Feast of the Ascension, “Why didn’t Jesus remain visibly with us, here on earth? Why not lead us as our king down here so that we could see and hear him?”
Some would argue that Jesus was limited by his humanity—that Jesus’ human nature prevented him from being at more than one place at a time. They would say that Jesus could preach today in Chicago or heal the sick in Rio de Janeiro, but he cannot do both simultaneously—reigning from heaven allows Jesus to be more present to every place and every person. However, Jesus is not limited in this way by his glorified human nature. Several saints have manifested the gift of bi-location during their lifetimes. Most recently and famously, St. Padre Pio was often at more than one place at the same time. Surely, if Jesus’ saints can possess this power then the Lord Jesus would as well. Furthermore, Jesus demonstrates that his humanity can be more than one place simultaneously through his Real Presence in the Eucharist. Though veiled under the appearances of bread and wine, the entire living person of Jesus (including his body and blood, soul and divinity) is truly present in the Eucharist.
So if Jesus can be physically present in as many places as he wishes, why is he not visibly reigning in millions of places in roles here on earth? For instance, why isn’t Jesus the pastor at every parish church and the bishop in every diocese? One major reason why Jesus rejects this approach is that he wants us to share in his work, his mission, and his glory. Jesus wants you and I to have a part in saving our family and friends and the world. Jesus prayed to his Father at the Last Supper, “As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world,” (John 17:18) and Jesus told his disciples after his resurrection, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). You and I are sent to do and continue the works that we have seen Jesus do. As Jesus once said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). It is not easy to live as Jesus Christ in the world, but this is our great vocation. For this reason, we must receive the force from on high. Pray for the deeper gifts that the Lord wants to give you through the Holy Spirit, whose coming in power we will celebrate next Sunday.
Hoy, Jesús asciende con su naturaleza humana al cielo. Jesús se sentó a la derecha del Padre. Allí Jesús disfruta del mayor honor y la intimidad con su Padre y él reina e intercede por nosotros desde el cielo. Sin embargo, me pregunto en esta fiesta de la Ascensión: “¿Por qué Jesús no permanecen visiblemente con nosotros, aquí en la tierra? ¿Por qué no quedarse aquí como nuestro rey para que nosotros pudiéramos verlo y escucharlo?”
Algunos podrían argumentar que Jesús estaba limitado por su humanidad-que la naturaleza humana de Jesús no poder estar en más de un lugar al mismo tiempo. Dirían que Jesús pudo predicar hoy en Chicago o curar a los enfermos en Río de Janeiro, pero lo no puede hacer ambas cosas al mismo tiempo—reinante desde el cielo permite que Jesús sea más presente a todo lugar y persona. Sin embargo, Jesús no se limita de esta manera por su naturaleza humana glorificada. Varios santos han manifestado el don de la bilocación durante sus vidas. Más recientemente y famosamente, San Padre Pio fue visto a menudo en más de un lugar al mismo tiempo. Seguramente, si los santos de Jesús pueden poseer este poder, entonces el Señor Jesús lo haría también. De hecho, Jesús demuestra que su humanidad puede haber más de un lugar al mismo tiempo a través de su presencia real en la Eucaristía. Aunque velado bajo las especies del pan y del vino, toda de la persona viva de Jesús (incluyendo su cuerpo y sangre, alma y divinidad) está realmente presente en la Eucaristía.
Si Jesús puede estar presente físicamente en tantos lugares como él desea, ¿por qué Jesús no reinando visiblemente en millones de funciones aquí en la tierra? Por ejemplo, ¿por qué Jesús no es el pastor en cada parroquia y el obispo en cada diócesis? Una gran razón Jesús rechazado este método es que él quiere que compartamos en su trabajo, su misión y su gloria. Jesús quiere que ustedes y yo tener una parte en salvando a nuestras familias, y nuestros amigos, y nuestro mundo. Jesús oró a su Padre en la Última Cena: “Como tú me enviaste al mundo, yo los envío también al mundo,” (Juan 17:18) y Jesús dijo a sus discípulos después de su resurrección: “Como el Padre me envió a mí, así yo los envío a ustedes,” (Juan 20:21). Ustedes y yo estamos envió a hacer y continuar los trabajos que hemos visto hacer a Jesús. Como Jesús dijo una vez: “Ciertamente les aseguro que el que cree en mí las obras que yo hago también él las hará, y aun las hará mayores, porque yo vuelvo al Padre,” (Juan 14:12). No es fácil vivir como Jesús Cristo en el mundo, pero este es nuestro gran vocación. Por esta razón, debemos recibir la fuerza de lo alto. Ore por los dones más profundos que el Señor Jesús quiere darte a través delEspíritu Santo, cuya venida en el poder vamos a celebrar el próximo domingo.
“The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross.” —St. Thomas Aquinas
“Man should tremble, the world should vibrate, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the altar in the hands of the priest.” —St. Francis of Assisi
“It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass.” —St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
“One single Mass gives more honor to God than all the penances of the Saints, the labors of the Apostles, the sufferings of the martyrs, and even the burning love of the Blessed Mother of God.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori
“All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man.” —St. John Vianney
“If the Angels could envy, they would envy us for Holy Communion.” —St. Pope Pius X
“Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you–for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart.” —St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Sampson’s mother was barren, but she conceived after the visit of an angel. (Judg 13:3)
Jesus’ mother is a virgin, but she conceives after the visit of Gabriel. (Luke 1:31)
Sampson revealed to Delilah the secret of his strength and she betrayed him for thousands of silver pieces. (Judg 16:5)
Jesus revealed to Judas his messianic secret and he betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver. (Matt 26:13)
Sampson was captured, blinded, and mocked. (Judg 16:21,25)
Jesus is arrested, blindfolded, and mocked, “Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?” (Matt 26:68)
Sampson extended his arms against the pillars to destroy the enemies of his people. (Judg 16:30)
Jesus extends his arms upon the cross to conquer the devil, sin, and death. (Heb 2:14)
Sampson the strong was made weak so that God’s people could be freed. (Judg 16:19,30)
Jesus the Christ is made to suffer so that God’s people can be saved. (Isa 53:11)
From the side of sleeping Adam, the woman Eve was fashioned.
From the blood and water flowing from his pierced side, Jesus’ Church is made.
Adam was tested in the Garden of Eden.
Jesus is tested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Adam was naked without shame because of his innocence.
Jesus is stripped naked before dying his innocent death.
Adam may have failed to protect Eve and Eden because he feared the dragon-serpent’s violence.
Jesus is willing to suffer and die to save his Church and the world from the devil.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil revealed right and wrong to humanity.
Jesus’ cross shows us the greatest acts of love and evil in all of human history.
Last weekend I traveled across Minnesota for my friend Bernadette’s thirtieth birthday party. I also met her fiancé, Glen, who is a farmer. We visited Glen’s farm and saw his flock of sheep in the barn. Watching the sheep was a fun experience for me and serious research as well. Both Jesus and the Scriptures talk a lot about sheep. As today’s psalm says, “We are his people, the sheep of his flock.” I studied this flock to see what I could learn.
I had never realized how timid sheep are. When we entered the barn they ran away to the far end of the barn. The new lambs in their smaller pen tried to hide their noses in a corner away from us. I was a little disappointed. I would have liked these sheep and lambs to be friendly, cuddly, and affectionate, but they were skittish. When Glen walked near them they had a small stampede. Glen said the sheep will come near if they see that he is about to feed them hay.
I felt somewhat disappointed in the behavior of the sheep. Then I wondered how much we resemble these sheep in our relationship with the Jesus the Good Shepherd. As members of Jesus’ flock we often neglect to approach him unless we need or want something from him. We often feel afraid to come too close to him because we fear what he might ask of us. Does Jesus feel contempt towards us, his flock, because of our neglect and timidity? No, he holds us tightly, and ‘no one can take us out of his hand.’ Jesus is unlike any other shepherd. Jesus has done something no other shepherd has done. Jesus has become a lamb among his own flock.
In Revelation, John sees Jesus as ‘the Lamb who is in the center of the throne who will shepherd us and lead us.’ Our shepherd is a sinless lamb. I have never been a sheep myself, so I do not truly understand what they experience. But Jesus truly understands our human condition. As Jesus said of his sheep, “I know them, and they follow me.”
Perhaps Glen’s flock fled from him because he does not live in their barn and fields with them. But our Lord Jesus Christ, like ancient shepherds, remains with his flock always. Encouraged by his constant devotion to us, let us hear his voice and follow him. Let us pray to the Lord always, and not merely when we want something from him. And let us come closer to our Good Shepherd, receptive to whatever his will for us may be.
La semana pasada viajé a través de Minnesota para la fiesta de cumpleaños trigésimo de mi amiga Bernadette. También conocí a su prometido, Glen, quien es agricultor. Visitamos su granja y vimos su rebaño de ovejas en el establo. Mirar las ovejas fue una experiencia divertida para mí y una investigación seria también. Tanto Jesús y las Escrituras hablan mucho de ovejas. Como el salmo de hoy dice: “Somos su pueblo y su rebaño.” Estudié este rebaño a ver qué podía aprender.
Nunca me había dado cuenta de lo tímidas ovejas. Cuando entramos en el establo huyeron hasta el extremo. El nuevo corderos en la pluma más pequeña trataron de ocultar sus narices en un rincón alejado de nosotros. Yo estaba un poco decepcionado. Deseé estas ovejas y corderos ser amigable, tierno y cariñoso, pero estaban nerviosos. Cuando Glen caminaba cerca de ellos tenían una pequeña estampida. Glen dijo que las ovejas se acercará si ven que él está a punto darles de comer heno.
Me sentí un poco decepcionado con el comportamiento de estas ovejas. Entonces me pregunté cuánto somos como las ovejas en nuestra relación con Jesús el Buen Pastor. Como miembros de rebaño de Cristo, a menudo nos olvidamos de acercarse a él a menos que necesitamos o queremos algo de él. A menudo nos sentimos miedo de acercado demasiado a él porque tememos lo que él puede pedir de nosotros. ¿Tiene Jesús nos desprecian, sus ovejas, a causa de nuestra negligencia y timidez? No, él nos sostiene firmemente, y ‘nadie puede sacarnos de su mano.’ Jesús es diferente a ningún otro pastor. Jesús ha hecho algo que ningún otro pastor ha hecho. Jesús se ha convertido en un cordero entre sus ovejas.
En Apocalipsis, Juan ve a Jesús como ‘el Cordero, que está en el trono, quien será nuestro pastor y conducirá nos’. Nuestro pastor es un cordero sin pecado. Nunca he sido una oveja a mí mismo, así que no entiendo realmente lo que experimentan. Pero Jesús realmente entiende nuestra condición humana. Como dijo Jesús de sus ovejas, “Yo las conozco y ellas me siguen.”
Tal vez el rebaño de Glen huyó de él porque él no vive en su establo y sus campos con ellos. Pero nuestro Señor Jesucristo, como pastores antiguos, permanece con su rebaño siempre. Alentado por su constante devoción a nosotros, vamos a escuchar su voz y seguirlo. Oremos al Señor siempre, y no sólo cuando queremos algo de él. Y háganos acercarnos a nuestro Buen Pastor, receptivo a cualquiera que sea su voluntad para nosotros sea.
On the evening of the first Easter Sunday, Jesus appears to the disciples in the locked room where they are hiding and says to them, “Peace be with you.” Then he shows them his hands and his side and says to them again, “Peace be with you.” A week later, when his disciples are together and Thomas is with them, Jesus comes and stands in their midst and says, “Peace be with you.” Three times in this Gospel, our Lord Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”
This greeting of Jesus may seem like a small thing, but it is not. Imagine a Jesus who is a radically different person compared to the actual Jesus we know. This imaginary Jesus appears to his disciples, looks at them, and says, “I condemn you all.” This Jesus castigates the apostles for their desertion. He shows his wounded hands to them as a reproach. “I have these wounds because you abandoned me.” Then this Jesus turns to Peter and says, “You denied me. Now I deny you.” I doubt this unforgiving Jesus would come back to encounter Thomas or the other disciples ever again.
How terrible that would be? But of course, this Jesus is not the real Jesus. (Thanks be to God.) The real Jesus Christ we know says, “Peace be with you.” His words are patient, not angry. His words are loving, not rejecting. His words are merciful, not condemning. His words are from the boundless ocean of divine mercy within him and the mercy of the Lord is eternal. “Peace be with you.” Jesus speaks these words to us today. Let these words of Jesus go deeply within you, and you will always have the peace of Christ.
Al anochecer del primer domingo de Pascua, Jesús se aparece a los discípulos en el cuarto cerrado donde se esconden y les dice: “La paz esté con ustedes”. Luego les muestra sus manos y su costado y les dice otra vez: “La paz esté con ustedes”. Una semana más tarde, cuando sus discípulos están juntos y Tomás está con ellos, Jesús viene y ponte en medio de ellos y dijo: “La paz esté con ustedes.” Tres veces en este Evangelio, el Señor Jesús dice: “La paz esté con ustedes”.
Este saludo de Jesús puede parecer una cosa pequeña, pero no lo es. Imagine un Jesús que es una persona radicalmente diferente en comparación con el real Jesús que conocemos. Este imaginario Jesús se aparece a sus discípulos, los mira y dice: “Condeno todos ustedes.” Este Jesús castiga a los apóstoles por su deserción. Él muestra sus manos heridas a ellos como un reproche. “Tengo estas heridas porque me has abandonado”. Entonces esto Jesús se dirige a Pedro y le dice: “Usted me negó. Ahora yo te negaré”. Dudo que esto Jesús volvería a encontrarse con Tomás y los otros discípulos nunca más.
¡Qué terrible que sería? Pero, por supuesto, este Jesús no es el Jesús real. (Demos gracias a Dios.) El verdadero Jesucristo sabemos dice: “La paz esté con ustedes”. Sus palabras son pacientes, no enojado. Sus palabras son cariñosos, no rechazar. Sus palabras son misericordiosos, no condenar. Sus palabras son del océano infinito de la misericordia divina en su interior, y la misericordia del Señor es eterna. “La paz esté con ustedes”. Jesús dice estas palabras para nosotros hoy. Entonces, permita que estas palabras de Jesús de ir profundamente dentro de usted, y usted siempre tendrá paz de Jesucristo.
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