By Father John Catoir, JCD

Of the approximately 107 Billion human beings that have lived and died on planet Earth, Jesus Christ was by far the most outstanding, the most influential, and the most revered. He only lived 33 years among us. “He never wrote a book, he never held an office, he never went to college, and he never travelled more than 200 miles from where He was born. He did more things associated with greatness but had no credentials other than Himself”-from “A Solitary Life” by Dr. James Allan,1926.

The Bible is collection of 66 books written over a period of 1500 years by dozens of authors in three different languages. They wrote during different periods of world history, and couldn’t possibly have collaborate with one another; nevertheless, they produced a single book with one theme: the coming of the Messiah, and the redemption He would provide.

There are 3,956 verses in the Bible, which are directly or indirectly concerned with prophies about the coming of Jesus. Here is one from Zacharia 9:9, “Daughters of Zion shout for joy, rejoice O daughters of Jerusalem, behold your king comes to you riding on a donkey.” Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, hundreds of prophesies appeared revealing the circumstances of His birth. From the Book of Micah 5:2, “But you Bethlehem, though you be small among the clans of Jonah, out of you will come the ruler who will shepherd my people.” Jesus fulfilled all the prophesies written about Him, including those describing His passion and death.

He’s had more hospitals, orphanages, rescue missions and the like dedicated to Him than anyone.  More human compassion and service efforts have been founded and financed by His followers than all other religions combined. Jesus is unparalleled as a “moral” influence. His life and teachings remain unsurpassed in their abilities to guide people and whole cultures toward altruism. He leads people out of confusion, doubt and misery. His artistic influence is also amazing. Jesus has inspired more of the world’s great art, literature and music than any person who has ever lived.

In America alone, 128 colleges have been dedicated to his teachings and values. Not only the Catholic Colleges, but also Harvard, Princeton, Yale and a host of others which were founded to prepare Christian ministers and missionaries. No one has done more to secure the rights of Women than Jesus. When he came into the world women were still being traded for cattle. Few enjoyed marital rights and could be easily dismissed at the will of their marital masters. Because of him, women have been ennobled and respected as never before.

The Lord’s teaching on the dignity of the individual became the cornerstone of America’s Declaration of Independence. The powerful influence of Jesus Christ on the history of the world cannot be underestimated, much less explained on the merely human level. Jesus Christ is not just a great man among many, he is God incarnate, the only begotten son of our heavenly father. “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,”-Matthew 3:17.

“All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be adequately equipped for every good work.”-2 Timothy 3 16-17.

Follow him and may the Lord be your strength and your joy.

Father John Catoir, JCD, is a retired priest from the Diocese of Paterson.