During yesterday’s Edge session we discussed the Incarnation. Our goal was to help the youth understand God taking flesh as far more than just baby Jesus in a manger, but a life-altering revelation of God’s love “in the flesh.” We focused more on the “why” of the Incarnation than the how. As outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, there are principally four reasons that God took flesh. Jesus became man so that we could know the true definition of love and how we should respond to that love. The Incarnation of Jesus was also to redeem us from our sins – we cannot forgive our own sins. Thirdly, Jesus is the perfect example of holiness – we can never falter if we follow Jesus’ example of true holiness. And lastly, the Incarnation allows us to partake in God’s divine nature – and to experience the true joy of His kingdom. The better our youth understand the purpose(s) of Christ’s Incarnation, the more they will appreciate the significance of both Christmas, Easter and, even, Ordinary Time!
Here are some questions to help start a conversation with your youth about what he/she learned during Edge:
1. What are some ways that Jesus is a model for us through His actions and/or ways that He taught and preached?
2. Why was it important for God to become man – Jesus’ Incarnation?
3. Tell me about your Top 10 List and how can I support you in completing your list?
In Him,
The Edge Core Team
Your Youth's Challenge: Remember…
1. The Incarnation is when Jesus became Man – He took on human form and was like us in all ways except for sin.
2. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we learn that there are four reasons for the Incarnation.
3. Jesus became man so that: we could be reconciled to God, know God’s great love for us, have a model of holiness, and so we can partake in God’s divine nature.
4. This week, go out and live as you wrote on your Top 10 List of Ways to Show God’s Love. Do not simply let that be a random list, but let others see God’s love through you.