Learn by Topic: Stamina
The 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…)
The 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. “Since the Word became flesh in assuming a true humanity, Christ’s body was finite. Therefore the human face of Jesus can be portrayed…” (CCC 476). “At the same time the Church has always acknowledged that in the body of Jesus “we see our God made visible and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see.” The individual characteristics of Christ’s body express the divine person of God’s Son. He has made the features of his human body his own, to the point that they can be venerated when portrayed in a holy image, for the believer “who venerates the icon is venerating in it the person of the one depicted” (CCC 477).
The Physical Jesus Christ
Scripture, history and meditation offer insights into the Physical Jesus Christ. (more…)
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.
- 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.
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