DYAD SHARING 1. What are signs? 2. What are examples of signs that you see around?

What do they mean? 3. Why are signs important?

Signs are words or actions that point to a deeper meaning or reality. Signs stand for something important. There are messages that signs share to us.

Jesus Himself used signs to tell the people of Israel about the love of God the Father for them. In His public work or ministry, He was able to worked wondrous signs. We call these sings as miracles.

What are miracles?

Jesus accompanied His preaching ministry in Israel with many "mighty works and wonders and signs. These mighty works and wonders are called miracles, which are written in the Gospel books. The miracles of Jesus are not magic acts or mere supernatural actions. (CCC 547)

SOME OF THE MANY MIRACLES OF JESUS

THE BLIND SEE: Mark 10:46-52

Jesus is the LIGHT. He makes us see the truth of the Fathers great love for all men.

THE LAME WALK: Mark 2:1-12

Jesus Christ shows us the WAY to God that Father. Jesus teaches us how to walk as true children of God.

THE LEPERS ARE CURED: Luke 17:11-19

Jesus Christ restores us to HEALTH. Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus cures us of our greatest sickness: sin.

THE DEAF HEAR AND THE DUMB SPEAK: Mark 7:31-37

Jesus Christ speaks the Words of eternal life. He opens our minds and hearts to believe in His words.

THE DEAD ARE RAISED TO LIFE: John 11:1-44

Jesus Christ gives us ETERNAL LIFE. But Jesus through His resurrection offers us hope of salvation and of eternal life.

Why did Jesus perform miracles in Israel?

1. Jesus used miracles as signs that point to the great reality - which is presence of the Kingdom of God on earth. (CCC 547) 2. Jesus used miracles to call all the people to have faith in Him and to follow Him as His disciples. (CFC 537)

1. Miracles Signs Kingdom of God

This Kingdom of God is not an earthly kingdom that involves kings and queens, castles and riches. It is a kingdom where God reigns as King in the hearts of men. Love is the greatest sign of the presence of the Kingdom of God. (CCC 537)

 For the Jews, sickness and infirmities were signs of Gods punishment for their sins. Jesus healed all these to show that God our Father has forgiven them. Through these miracles, Jesus gave people the strength and the grace to grow in faith and trust in the Father.

2. faith in Jesus and to be His disciples. (CFC 537)

Jesus began His mission by proclaiming that the Kingdom of God has come. (Mk 1:15)

 This kind of faith speaks of the peoples humble acceptance of Gods gift of love and the healing power of Christ. They realized that they are helpless and so they open their hearts to the love of God.

We Respond
As friends of Jesus, we must help in making sure that every one feels the presence of Gods Kingdom. We should become signs of the Kingdom of God.

We Respond
Ordinary and simple acts of love > Extra-ordinary if done out of love

We Respond
As grade 5 boys, what deeds can you do to show that the Kingdom of God is present among us? __________________________________ _________________________________ __________________________________ _________________________________ __________________________________ _________________________________

BIG QUESTIONS
1. Why did Jesus perform miracles? 2. How do the miracles help us to grow in faith in Jesus? 3. Do miracles still happen today? Why or why not? 4. Why is love the best sign of the Kingdom of God?

We Pray
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury,pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. - from the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi