John 14 Gospel Of Jesus

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This paper will explore the inherent connections and parallels between Jesus’ words as He sent out his disciples at the end of the Gospel of John and the exhortations of St. Ignatius of Antioch in his letters to the seven churches. The analysis will begin with a careful consideration of the Trinitarian identity and mission of the Church, with specific mention of the Triune God at work throughout the ages of salvation history. Thereafter, an examination will be made of Jesus’ commissioning of his Apostles, the unity he desired for his Church and the foundation he laid for said unity. Finally, a scrutiny will be made of St. Ignatius’ appeals to the various churches echoing this call for unity and his reasoning to how it can be achieved, namely …show more content…

All born into the Church through Baptism confess the Apostles’ Creed, declaring their consent and confirmation of faith. The gospel of John also communicates right worship of God and its intended aim of bringing man into communion with him. When talking to the woman of Samaria, Jesus states there would come a time when true worship would no longer be “neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem” but rather “the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (Jn 4:21,23) Later, John 6 recounts Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist, and finally, in chapter 15, Jesus refers to himself as the vine and calls his followers to “abide in me, and I in you.” (Jn 15:4) All of this Eucharistic foreshadowing and imagery gives way to the understanding that Jesus is the new Temple, and that communion in the Eucharist is the new form of worship and intimate union with the Trinity that Christ came to give humanity. After his Resurrection, the Risen Lord spent 40 days with his disciples teaching them all that He wanted them to spread throughout to the world. Then, in John 20, before his Ascension into heaven, Jesus sends forth his disciples to continue the Triune mission of salvation. Equipping them with the Holy Spirit, Jesus entrusted the Apostles with the mission of the Church to perpetuate God’s saving plan to the world. The Son returned to the Father, but sent the Holy Spirit to guide and sanctify the Church. The Church’s ultimate aim, therefore, is to draw man into communion with the Triune God. Consequently, “all the activities of the Church are directed, as toward their end,

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