RUBRIC FOR EVALUATING REFLECTION PAPERS & THE

CULMINATING PRODUCT

Superior (16-20) Sufficient (11-15) Minimal (6-10) Unacceptable (1-

5)
Reflection Reflection Reflection Reflection
demonstrates an demonstrates a demonstrates a demonstrates a
in-depth general reflection minimal lack of reflection
reflection on, and on, and reflection on and on or
personalization personalization personalization personalization
of texts, of texts, of texts, of texts,
contexts, contexts, contexts, contexts,
interpretation, re- interpretation, re- interpretation, re- interpretation, re-
appropriation appropriation appropriation appropriation
and synthesis of and synthesis of and synthesis of and synthesis of
Scriptural verses the Scriptural the Scriptural the Scriptural
studied in the verses studied in verses studied in verses studied in
course. the course. the course. the course.
Course Outline
I. Meeting Jesus in the Gospels
II. Infancy Narratives
III. Vocation Narratives: The Challenges of
Responding to the Call to Discipleship
IV. Jesus and the Kingdom of God
V. Jesus and the Law and Traditions
VI. Jesus and the Greatest Commandment of
Love
VII. The Cost and Challenges of Discipleship
VIII. The Meaning of Jesus’ Passion, Death and
Resurrection

Methodologies:
a. Scripture Reading
b. Group work (Discussion & Analysis)
c. Guided Exegesis
d. Prayer Service
e. Journal/Reflection Writing
Course Requirements:
a. Active class & group participation
b. Oral presentations/sharing
c. Quizzes
d. Journal entries or Reflection papers
e. Product/Performance Task: Becoming Human—Humanizing My
Life

Grading System:
Written work (Quizzes & Seatworks) – 25%
Performance Task – 50%
Quarterly Assessment – 25%
How can we meet Jesus in the Gospels?
What are the various ways by which we come to know a
person/celebrity?

various ways of coming to know a person:

• internet (social media)
• people who know the person
• person her-/himself

What do you think are the possible ways by which can we know
Jesus? What do you think is the most important source for Jesus’ life,
words and deeds?

possible ways to know Jesus:

• internet (search engines, youtube)
• people who knew/wrote about him
• Jesus himself (Holy Spirit)?
Generally, we will find Jesus’ life, words and deeds in the Bible,
particularly in the New Testament

Today: most important source for: life, work & way of Jesus:
4 Gospels: they are:
Matthew
more representational & historical portrait of Jesus
Mark
depicts how Jesus acts, says things
Luke
John more impressionistic  develops
characteristic effects produced by Jesus

general theme of each Gospel about Jesus:

Matthew: Jesus: fulfillment of Old Testament (promises)  often
quotes or alludes to OT verses
Mark: Jesus: a person  reacts to events with authentic human
emotion
Luke: Jesus: universal Savior  concerned about humanity,
reaches out to the poor, the
outcasts & sinners
John: total meaning of Jesus’ life  explicit emphasis on Jesus’
divinity

CLCE11BEx1.
__/__/__

Instruction: Based on the general theme of each Gospel, identify the

evangelist (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) to/under whom the
following verses belong.
1. In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God’s
presence, and the Word was God. (1:1)
2. Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and
said: “I do will it. Be cured. (1:41)
3. All this happened to fulfill what the Lord had said through the
prophet: “The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son,
and they shall call him Emmanuel.” (1:22-23)
4. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the
lowly to high places. (1:52)
5. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the
Father but through me. (14:5)
6. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they
are doing. “(23:34)
7. This came about to fulfill what was said through the prophet:
“Tell the daughter of Zion, Your king comes without display…
(21:4-5)
8. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty; no,
the water I give shall become a fountain within him, leaping up to
provide eternal life. (4:14)
9. Upon disembarking Jesus saw a vast crowd. He pitied them, for
they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach
them at great length. (6:34)
10. I tell you, that is why her many sins are forgiven—because of her
great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small. (7:47)
11. He looked around at them with anger, for he was deeply grieved
that they had closed their minds against him. (3:5)
12. “Whoever welcomes this little child on my account welcomes
me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me, for
the least one among you is the greatest. (9:47)
13. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and grants life, so the
son grants life to those whom he wishes. (5:21)
14. To fulfill what had been said through Isaiah the prophet: “Land of
Zebulun, land of Naphtali along the sea beyond the Jordan,
heather Galilee: A people living in darkness has seen a great
light. On those who inhabit a land overshadowed by death, light
has arisen. (4:14-16)
15. As to the exact day or hour, no one knows it, neither the angles
in heaven nor even the Son, but only the Father. (14:32)
16. This was to fulfill what had been said through Isaiah the prophet:
“Here is my servant who I have chosen, my love one in whhom I
delight… (12:17f)
17. “You belong to what is below; I belong to what is above. You
belong to this world—a world which cannot hold me. (8:23)
18. Then he began to be filled with fear and distress. He said to
them, “My heart is filled with sorrow to the point of death.
Remain here and stay awake. (14:34)
19. But we have to celebrate and rejoice! This brother of yours was
dead, and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.
(15:32)
20. What was said through Jeremiah the prophet was then fulfilled:
“A cry was heard at Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation:
Rachel bewailing her children; no comfort for her, since they are
no more.” (2:17-18)
CLCE11BEx1.
Answers
1. In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God’s
presence, and the Word was God. (1:1) JOHN
2. Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and
said: “I do will it. Be cured. (1:41) MARK
3. All this happened to fulfill what the Lord had said through the
prophet: “The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son,
and they shall call him Emmanuel.” (1:22-23) MATTHEW
4. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the
lowly to high places. (1:52) LUKE
5. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the
Father but through me. (14:5) JOHN
6. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they
are doing. “(23:34) LUKE
7. This came about to fulfill what was said through the prophet:
“Tell the daughter of Zion, Your king comes without display…
(21:4-5) MATTHEW
8. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty; no,
the water I give shall become a fountain within him, leaping up to
provide eternal life. (4:14) JOHN
9. Upon disembarking Jesus saw a vast crowd. He pitied them, for
they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach
them at great length. (6:34) MARK
10. I tell you, that is why her many sins are forgiven—because of her
great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small. (7:47)
LUKE
11. He looked around at them with anger, for he was deeply grieved
that they had closed their minds against him. (3:5) MARK
12. “Whoever welcomes this little child on my account welcomes
me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me, for
the least one among you is the greatest. (9:47) LUKE
13. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and grants life, so the
son grants life to those whom he wishes. (5:21) JOHN
14. To fulfill what had been said through Isaiah the prophet: “Land of
Zebulun, land of Naphtali along the sea beyond the Jordan,
heather Galilee: A people living in darkness has seen a great
light. On those who inhabit a land overshadowed by death, light
has arisen. (4:14-16) MATTHEW
15. As to the exact day or hour, no one knows it, neither the angels
in heaven nor even the Son, but only the Father. (14:32) MARK
16. This was to fulfill what had been said through Isaiah the prophet:
“Here is my servant who I have chosen, my love one in whhom I
delight… (12:17f) MATTHEW
17. “You belong to what is below; I belong to what is above. You
belong to this world—a world which cannot hold me. (8:23)
JOHN
18. Then he began to be filled with fear and distress. He said to
them, “My heart is filled with sorrow to the point of death.
Remain here and stay awake. (14:34) MARK
19. But we have to celebrate and rejoice! This brother of yours was
dead, and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.
(15:32) LUKE
20. What was said through Jeremiah the prophet was then fulfilled:
“A cry was heard at Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation:
Rachel bewailing her children; no comfort for her, since they are
no more.” (2:17-18) MATTHEW

CLCE11BQ1.
__/__/__
Instruction: Based on the general theme of each Gospel, identify the
evangelist (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) to/under whom the
following verses belong.
1. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and
we have seen his glory: The glory of an only Son coming from
the Father, filled with enduring love. (1:14)
2. He could work no miracle there apart from curing a few who
were sick by laying hands on them, so much did their lack of
faith distress him. (6:5-6)
3. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them which says: “Listen as you
will, you shall not undersand… (13:14f)
4. I tell you, there will likewise be more joy in heaven over one
repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who
have no need to repent. (15:7)
5. I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the
earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it
produces much fruit. (12:24)
6. He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim
liberty to captives. (4:18)
7. He stayed there until the death of Herod, to fulfill what the Lord
had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I have called my
son.” (2:15)
8. Jesus gave him this answer: “I solemnly assure you, no one can
see the reign of God unless he is begotten from above.” (3:3)
9. Jesus was conscious at once that healing power had gone out
from him. (5:30)
10. “Which of these three in your opinion, was neighbour to the man
who fell in with the robbers? The answer came, “The one who
treated him with compassion.” Jesus said to him, “Then go and
do the same.” (10:36-37)
11. “Are you, too, incapable of understanding?” he asked them. “Do
you not see that nothing that enters a man from outside can
make him impure?” (7:18)
12. “Love your enemy and do good; lend without expecting
repayment.” (6:35)
13. “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead
them, too, and they shall hear my voice. There shall be one flock
then, one shepherd. (10:16)
14. To fulfill what had been said through the prophet: “I will open my
mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden since
the creation of the world. (13:35)
15. As they approached the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus
was struck by the noise of people wailing and crying loudly on all
sides. (5:38)
16. There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way what was
said through the prophets was fulfilled: “He shall be called a
Nazorean.” (2:23)
17. Jesus explained to them: “I myself am the bread of life. No one
who comes to me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in
me shall ever thirst. (6:35)
18. Then he said to them, “Why are you so terrified? Why are you
lacking in faith?” (4:40)
19. Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house, for
this is what it means to be a son of Abraham. The Son of Man
has come to search out and save what was lost. (19:9-10)
20. Thereby fulfilling what had been said through Isaiah the prophet:
“It was our infirmities he bore, our sufferings he endured. (8:17)
CLCE11BQ1.
Answers:
1. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and
we have seen his glory: The glory of an only Son coming from
the Father, filled with enduring love. (1:14) JOHN
2. He could work no miracle there apart from curing a few who
were sick by laying hands on them, so much did their lack of
faith distress him. (6:5-6) MARK
3. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them which says: “Listen as you
will, you shall not undersand… (13:14f) MATTHEW
4. I tell you, there will likewise be more joy in heaven over one
repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people who
have no need to repent. (15:7) LUKE
5. I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the
earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it
produces much fruit. (12:24) JOHN
6. He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim
liberty to captives. (4:18) LUKE
7. He stayed there until the death of Herod, to fulfill what the Lord
had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I have called my
son.” (2:15) MATTHEW
8. Jesus gave him this answer: “I solemnly assure you, no one can
see the reign of God unless he is begotten from above.” (3:3)
JOHN
9. Jesus was conscious at once that healing power had gone out
from him. (5:30) MARK
10. “Which of these three in your opinion, was neighbour to the man
who fell in with the robbers? The answer came, “The one who
treated him with compassion.” Jesus said to him, “Then go and
do the same.” (10:36-37) LUKE
11. “Are you, too, incapable of understanding?” he asked them. “Do
you not see that nothing that enters a man from outside can
make him impure?” (7:18) MARK
12. “Love your enemy and do good; lend without expecting
repayment.” (6:35) LUKE
13. “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead
them, too, and they shall hear my voice. There shall be one flock
then, one shepherd. (10:16) JOHN
14. To fulfill what had been said through the prophet: “I will open my
mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden since
the creation of the world. (13:35) MATTHEW
15. As they approached the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus
was struck by the noise of people wailing and crying loudly on all
sides. (5:38) MARK
16. There he settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way what was
said through the prophets was fulfilled: “He shall be called a
Nazorean.” (2:23) MATTHEW
17. Jesus explained to them: “I myself am the bread of life. No one
who comes to me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in
me shall ever thirst. (6:35) JOHN
18. Then he said to them, “Why are you so terrified? Why are you
lacking in faith?” (4:40) MARK
19. Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house, for
this is what it means to be a son of Abraham. The Son of Man
has come to search out and save what was lost. (19:9-10) LUKE
20. Thereby fulfilling what had been said through Isaiah the prophet:
“It was our infirmities he bore, our sufferings he endured. (8:17)
MATTHEW
How to meet Jesus in the Gospels:
1. Take & read a Gospel pericope, passage.
2. Look for elements for consideration (character/s, symbol/s,
significant word/s or phrase/s, for whom what was said was
meant, who said what, why something was said). You may
have to read the Gospel pericope all over again—maybe
twice (2x) or even more to note these things.
3. Choose 1 or 2 points of consideration (where you would
want to focus) for your reflection. Choose what may be
appropriate for you at the moment (what may have struck
you the most)
4. In your reflection, discover (hidden/significant) meanings.
5. It is suggested that it is best to end your reflection with a
short prayer praising, thanking or asking God for any grace
you may have received or may be needing in relation to
your reflection. 
Why do we need to do this?

1. CHRISTOLOGY is not just about asking who Jesus is, but WHO
JESUS IS FOR US—for YOU particularly and personally.
2. WHO JESUS IS FOR YOU CAN ONLY BE ANSWERED IF YOU
ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. (“Stalking” Jesus;
“Adding Jesus as a Friend”)
3. IT IS UPON ENTERING A TRUE AND DEEPER
RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THAT WE BECOME A TRUE
DISCIPLE. (Constantly meeting Jesus everyday)
4. CHRISTOLOGY CAN NEVER BE SEPARATED FROM
DISCIPLESHIP—IF WE CLAIM WE KNOW HIM, BUT DO NOT
TRULY FOLLOW HIM, THEN WHAT ARE WE? IN
DISCIPLESHIP, THE ANSWER OF THE HEART IS GREATER
THAN THE ANSWER OF HEAD. WHATEVER WE LEARN IN
OUR HEADS MUST SINK DOWN INTO OUR HEARTS.
5. JESUS IS DRAWING US NEARER TO HIM EVERYDAY. OUR
RESPONSE TO HIM MAY NOT BE AS PRECIOUS AS HIS
CALL, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY PRECIOUS TO HIM.
6. ONLY A TRUE DISCIPLE CAN TRULY CALL GOD AS
FATHER.

MAY JESUS LEAD US TO HIMSELF AND

LEAD US BACK TO THE FATHER!
Infancy Narratives:
account of:
Jesus’ birth & childhood
not part of earliest Christian
preaching (Gospel)
gospel (originally):
living, spoken word of
preaching

central truth: Jesus’ resurrection & exaltation

eventually added: Jesus’ public ministry (words & deeds)

some reasons why Infancy Narratives: not part of earliest gospel:

• Apostles were not first-hand witnesses
• no interest in Jesus’ family background
• unconfirmed knowledge of Jesus’ hidden life
 Infancy narratives:
Matthew & Luke’s answer to:
growing interest in Jesus’ person
introduces: basic question of Christology:
?
Who is Jesus?

Infancy Narratives:
classified as: Christian midrash:
evangelists: focus on: meaning of:
Jesus’ birth & life for first-century
Christians
midrash: attempt: to make: Scriptural text: understandable, useful &
relevant for later generations
may be: re-writing
commentary
explanation of biblical material
analysis
Luke’s Infancy Narrative  has apocalyptic character
*apocalyptic: literary form: presents message as:
visions & revelations allegedly given to some figure of
the past
gives hope to people suffering persecution & disaster
asserts a better future
 Gospel pericope: Luke 1:5-25.
Annunciation of the Birth of John
5In the days of Herod, king of Judea,

there was a priest named Zechariah, of

the division of Abi'jah; and he had a wife
of the daughters of Aaron, and her name
was Elizabeth. 6And they were both
righteous before God, walking in all the
commandments and ordinances of the
Lord blameless. 7But they had no child,
because Elizabeth was barren, and both
were advanced in years. 8Now while he
was serving as priest before God when
his division was on duty, 9according to the custom of the priesthood, it
fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the

hour of incense. 11And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord

standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12And Zechari'ah was
troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13But the angel said
to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechari'ah, for your prayer is heard, and
your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name
John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at
his birth; 15for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no
wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even
from his mother's womb. 16And he will turn many of the sons of Israel
to the Lord their God, 17and he will go before him in the spirit and
power of Eli'jah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and
the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a
people prepared." 18And Zechari'ah said to the angel, "How shall I
know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."
19And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the

presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this
good news. 20And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until
the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe
my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." 21And the people were
waiting for Zechari'ah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple.
22And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they
perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs
to them and remained dumb. 23And when his time of service was
ended, he went to his home. 24After these days his wife Elizabeth
conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, 25"Thus the
Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away
my reproach among men."
______________________________________________________
1:5-2:52: Beneath the simple beauty of Luke’s infancy narrative there lies a
remarkable depth of theological reflection. It centers about the similarity and the
contrast between the religious mission of John the Baptizer and that of Jesus. By
presenting the parallel announcements of their conception and birth (1:5-25; 1:26-38;
1:57f; 2:1-20) and the parallel narratives of their circumcision (1:59-63; 2:21), to which
are added prophecies concerning the unique religious importance of Jesus (2:22-40),
the evangelist brings into sharp focus the transcendence of Jesus’ person and mission
over John’s.
This parallelism in literary structure, along with the pervading use of Old Testament
passages and ideas, conveys the basically theological character of the infancy gospel.
1:20: Though Zechariah’s punishment is usually thought to have been due to unbelief
in the angelic message concerning the child’s conception, the sign he was asking for
(1:16) may have been some proof within his own lifetime of the child’s future prophetic
role.
**smaller letters in the hand-out  why?
 just to consider 2 things in Luke’s Infancy Narrative:
1) Luke’s concern in his Infancy Narrative:
meaning of facts

2) Luke’s conviction about Jesus’ birth:

prepared by God
Gospel pericope:
Matthew 1:1-17. Genealogy of Jesus.

Search for elements:

1. General theme of the pericope (1 pt)
2. 3 titles given to Jesus by the pericope (3 pts)
3. Significant number mentioned in the pericope (1 pt)
4. Manner of presenting the Jesus’ genealogy (1 pt)
5. Unusual thing (insertion), inconsistent with the manner of
presenting Jesus’ genealogy (done 5x) (1 pt). Give at least 3
names as proof of this (3 pts)
Gospel pericope:
Matthew 1:1-17. Genealogy of Jesus.

Search for elements

1. general theme: genealogy
2. 3 titles of Jesus in the pericope
a) Son of David
b) Son of Abraham
c) Christ
3. Significant number: 14 (fourteen)
4. Manner of presenting Jesus’ genealogy: by/through their fathers
(father of…father of…)
5. Unusual thing, inconsistent with the manner: mention of
women/mothers; at least three names as proof: Tamar, Rahab,
Ruth, Batsheba, Mary
genealogy: study of: families
traces a person’s lineage & history
why Matthew starts with Jesus genealogy
wants to establish: Jesus: a true human being
had human ancestors

“son of David”: establishes: Jesus: of royal descent/ lineage

“son of Abraham”: establishes: Jesus: bearer of messianic promises

“Christ”: Gk χριστος (Christos) = Anointed One

translation: Heb ‫( משיח‬Mashiach) = Messiah

gospel opens with Jesus’ genealogy

+ tells Jesus is called “Christ”
signifies:
insertion of the divine into human history
v17. Abraham – David: 14 generations
David – deportation to Babylon: 14 gs
deportation to Babylon – Messiah: 14gs
14: numerical value of Hebrew name David 
emphasize: Jesus’ royal davidic lineage  Jesus: king
some scholars: 14 = 2 x 7 biblical numerology:
14 = 2 x 7 3x: superlative degree
14 = 2 x 7 6: imperfection
6x7 7: perfection

Jesus: (stands at)

end of 6th & beginning of 7th
in Him, imperfection ends & fullness/perfection begins
Jesus’ genealogy (genesis)
+ beginning of 7th gen: signifies:
a new creation

Abraham (ca. 1800 BCE)


David (ca. 1040–970 BCE) whole history of waiting

Jesus (ca. 4 BCE) long wait: finally over

BIG Q:
Are we ready to welcome Jesus in
our lives?
mention of 4 women:
(Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bath-sheba)
irregularity of motherhood & realization of promise
total submission to God’s plan (Palestinian Targum, Midrash
Tanhuma, Midrash Rabah)
intervention of the Holy Spirit (revelation of their mission; giving
them power to remain in their vocation
prepares & prefigures: Mary’s vocation

No matter how many

irregularities we encounter in
life, we must submit ourselves
to God’s plan & let God’s Spirit
sustain us in the mission God
calls us
Jesus’ genealogy:
traced as far back as Abraham:
Jesus, Messiah: someone too great to be contained within the limits
of a royal Davidic perspective