Some Reflection Works

I have decided to write down an essay for a short story. This short story is called "the Kissable Lips".

The object that describes love in the story is the heart of the husband. Being attractive to someone isn't just about your appearance. In most cases what makes people attractive isn't their appearance but how confident you look. If they see a 'pretty' girl wearing makeup who's all hunched over and frowning then people won't be attracted to them in most cases. But if a makeup-free person is strutting their stuff down the street and smiling away then it will instantly make them more attractive. It's easy for you to look in the mirror and think "I'm ugly" but in reality people aren't thinking that when they look at you. In declaring independence and thus founding the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men are created equal, I absolutely agree with that. The value of that equality is comparable to the love the husband gave to his wife in the story. If I were the husband then I would just look at the big picture. If my wife is doing well and is healthy then the only real problem is the people's response to he look. And in that case, the message to my wife may be, "Sometimes in life we have to put up with people who don't like us." If I feel embarrassed than I'll just take deep breaths and ignore them. Who am I to judge if my wife is ugly? She can't help it! And I will still love her no matter what. Its not what is on the outside that matters, it is inside. On the other hand if I were the woman then I would just do the same thing. I would ignore the people who tease me. Its basically like school all over again. I would also pray to God to guide me throughout this trial. For he is my Saviour and Redeemer and He will save me from evil.

"Discovering the Gospels' Portrayal of Jesus"

There is only one Jesus. Why, then, are four different accounts of his life? The answer is clear: we get to know persons better when they are described from different points of view and various people, such as their parents, siblings, friends, teachers and even their enemies. 

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the synoptic Gospels. Synoptic is from the word syn and optic which, when combined mean "to see together". The three gospels are called synoptic because they share many similarities and thus can be studied together. The Gospel of John, however, is different from the three. It is written in a more poetic tone. It also contains accounts not found in the synoptic Gospels.

The Gospel Portraits of Jesus

1. Mark: Jesus is the Suffering Messiah

In the Gospel according to Mark, the evangelist wanted to make clear to the persecuted Roman Christians that, like them, Jesus himself also suffered. Mark meant to console the suffering of Christians, but he was also intent on teaching that it meant to be a disciple of Jesus, that is, to follow him unto the cross.

It is interesting, though, that throughout Mark's gospel we see Jesus trying many times to keep His true identity a secret. Jesus instructed His disciples, the persons He healed, and even the demons not to reveal who He was. Jesus' consistent effort to conceal His identity as Messiah is called the messianic secret. "He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it" (Mk 7:36)

2. Matthew: Jesus is the Messiah and King

The portrait of Jesus as the Messiah-King prophesied in the Old Testament is the focus of the Gospel of Matthew. Whereas Mark shows Jesus avoiding being proclaimed the Son of God, Matthew portrayed Him being recognized and proclaimed Messiah by His apostles.

Matthew also highlighted Jesus' Jewish heritage by opening His Gospel with Jesus' genealogy, which reached back to Abraham (Mt 1:1-17). Matthew did this to confirm to His Jewish-Christian audience that Jesus indeed was the Messiah-King that had been promised them. Through Jesus, the salvation the Jews longed for would finally been realized.

Matthew explained that "to follow Jesus" is to learn Jesus' way of life as he is the Teacher greater than Moses. Matthew also stressed the importance of being formed into a church or ecclesia (Mt 16:18; 18:17), a name for Christian community not found in any other gospel.

3. Luke: Jesus is the Savior of the World

Luke wanted to bring to the Gentile community the good news that Jesus was the Savior not just of a chosen few but of all people, especially those considered outcasts of Jewish society. Hence, Luke portrayed Jesus as being full of mercy and compassion, often crossing social, religious, and political barriers to reach out to the poor, the outcasts, the sinners, and the women.

Luke's gospel is different from the others because it shows the significant role of women in Jesus' ministry and it gives attention to Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the infancy narratives. Aside from this, Luke's Gospel notes Jesus' prayer life and His being "filled with the spirit."

4. John: Jesus is the Son of God, the Word of God made man

John's Gospel emphasizes the divinity of Jesus, who is described in symbolic images and titles such as "the word of god enfleshed" and " the Light of the world."

John begins His gospel with a prologue: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father's only son" (Jn 1:1,14). The divine portrayal of Jesus in John is so strong that even in the account of His passion; Jesus is depicted not as a beaten, tormented victim but as a glorified King, calm and fully in charge of His destiny.

Commentators call John's chapters on Jesus' Last Supper, Passion, Death, and Resurrection the "Book of Glory" and the first twelve chapters narrating Jesus' public life the "Book of Signs." John Concludes with this passage: "There are also many things Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world will contain the books that would be written."

Jesus revealed God in His words and deeds. The portrayal of Jesus as the uniquely divine human person-the Son-of-God-made-man-presumed the basics of the Christian faith and reflected the truth of Jesus' nature and person more deeply.

"Walking Through the New Testament"

In your second year CLE course, we are challenged to deepen our personal relationship with Jesus by knowing Him more intimately through a deeper study of the New Testament. The New Testament presents the life and works of Jesus and the way he was received by the people who had been waiting for Him for so long.