1. The Baptism in the Jordan

Then Jesus appeared: He came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. John tried to dissuade Him. ‘It is I who need baptism from You’ he said ‘and yet You come to me!’ But Jesus replied, ‘Leave it like this for the time being; it is fitting that we should, in this way, do all that righteousness demands’. At this, John gave in to Him. As soon as Jesus was baptised He came up from the water, and suddenly the heavens opened and He saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. And a voice spoke from heaven, ‘This is My Son, the Beloved; My favour rests on Him’. Immediately afterwards the Spirit drove Him out into the wilderness and He remained there for forty days, and was tempted by Satan. He was with the wild beasts, and the angels looked after Him.

2. The Self-Manifestation at Cana

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine’. Jesus said, ‘Women, why turn to Me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you’. There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’, and they filled them to the brim. ‘Draw some out now’ He told them ‘and take it to the steward.’ They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from – only the servants who had drawn the water knew – the servant called the bridegroom and said, ‘People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now’. This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let His glory be seen, and His disciples believed in Him.

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God with the call to Conversion

Jesus went into Galilee. There He proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’

Then He returned to Capernaum ... so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing Him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to Him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic. “your sins are forgiven” or to say “get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic- ‘I order you: pick up your stretcher, and walk.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this’.

4. The Transfiguration

Jesus took with Him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the aspect of His face was changed and His clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to Him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of His passing which He was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and His companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. As these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah’.- He did not know what he was saying. As He spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is My Son, the Chosen One. Listen to Him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were His in the world, but now He showed how perfect His love was. Now as they were eating, Jesus took some bread and when He had said the blessing He broke it and gave it to the disciples. ‘Take it and eat;’ he said ‘this is my body.’ Then He took a cup, and when He had returned thanks He gave it to them. ‘Drink all of you from this,’ He said ‘for this is My blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. From now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the day that I drink the new wine with you in the kingdom of My Father’.