OCIA Session 2: Who is Jesus Christ? – True God and True Man

Welcome back! I’m glad you returned for round two of our journey. That already tells me something about you: you’re serious about exploring this path. Or at least you’re curious enough not to run for the hills after Session 1. Either way - that’s a win. Today we tackle the single most important question of your entire life: Who is Jesus Christ? Now, you may think you know the answer already. Maybe you’ve heard He’s a wise teacher, a healer, a prophet, or even a revolutionary. All true - but none of those labels fully capture who He is. The Catholic claim is bold and unapologetic: Jesus is true God and true man. Not half-and-half. Not a divine being pretending to be human. Not just a wise guy with a good beard. He is 100% God and 100% man. It’s called the Incarnation. And if that sounds like a math problem that doesn’t add up - you’re right. It’s not math. It’s mystery.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Why This Matters

If Jesus were only human, He might inspire us like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., or Socrates. But He wouldn’t save us. If He were only divine, He wouldn’t know what it feels like to laugh with friends, sweat in the hot sun, or cry at the grave of someone He loved. But because He is both, He is the bridge between heaven and earth. Through Him, God fully enters our world, and through Him, we are invited to share in God’s life.

Humor Break

Let’s be honest: sometimes we imagine God as this distant, all-powerful being who can’t relate to us. But think about the Incarnation. The God who made the stars once had to learn how to walk… and probably fell on His face as a toddler in Nazareth. That’s humility. That’s love. That’s Jesus.

Jesus’ Humanity

Let’s start with His humanity. He was born to Mary, raised in a small town, learned a trade as a carpenter. He ate food, got tired, sweated, laughed, cried, and yes - probably had calloused hands from working with wood. He had friends. He went to weddings (remember Cana, where He turned water into wine?). He prayed in the synagogue. He walked dusty roads with His disciples. He even got angry - flipping tables in the Temple when people treated God’s house like a flea market. In other words: He gets you. Whatever you’ve gone through - pain, joy, frustration - He’s been there.

Jesus’ Divinity

But here’s the flip side. Jesus wasn’t just a nice guy from Galilee. He said things no mere human should say.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
“Before Abraham was, I AM.”
“This is my Body… This is my Blood.”

He forgave sins - something only God can do. He calmed storms. He raised the dead. And most importantly, He Himself rose from the dead. That’s why Catholics believe He is not just a wise man or a prophet - He is God in the flesh.

Interactive Reflection

Take two minutes right now. On one side of your paper, write “Human.” On the other side, write “Divine.” Under “Human,” jot down examples of how Jesus experienced life like us: hunger, friendship, suffering. Under “Divine,” jot down the miracles, the bold claims, the resurrection. When you’re done, look at both lists. That’s the Incarnation. True God, true man.

The Heart of Salvation

Now here’s the kicker: why does this matter to you? Because only someone who is fully human can represent us, and only someone who is fully divine can save us. If Jesus were just human, He’d be stuck in the same mess we are. If He were just divine, His victory wouldn’t touch our reality. But because He’s both, His death and resurrection become our hope. His victory becomes our victory.

Parish Connection

Here’s where it gets real: the same Jesus we’re talking about isn’t stuck in history books. He is alive in His Church, especially in the Eucharist. At Mass, when the priest says, “This is my Body… This is my Blood,” that’s not poetry. That’s Jesus Himself - the same Jesus who walked the earth 2,000 years ago. This is why going to Mass matters so much. You’re not just attending a service. You’re meeting the living Christ.

Humor Break #2

Of course, sometimes we don’t feel like we’re meeting God. Sometimes Mass feels ordinary. But remember: your feelings don’t change the reality. If I tell you pizza is in the oven, it’s baking whether or not you smell it yet.

Action Step

Here’s your homework this week:

Go to Sunday Mass.
Pay attention to the words of Jesus during the Eucharistic Prayer. When the priest says, “This is my Body,” imagine Jesus Himself speaking to you.
Ask yourself: If this is really God - what should my response be?

Closing

So who is Jesus? He is the Son of God, the Savior, the bridge between heaven and earth, the one who loves you enough to enter your world and die for you.

This isn’t just doctrine to memorize. It’s a relationship to embrace. The Church exists not just to teach about Jesus, but to bring you to Him - especially in the sacraments. Next time, we’ll talk about the Bible and Revelation - how God speaks to us today through Scripture and Tradition. Spoiler alert: it’s not just an old book on the shelf. It’s God’s living Word, and it’s alive in His Church.

Until then, remember this: Jesus is true God and true man. And He came not just for the world - but for you.

Class Supplement designed to accompany you on a transformative journey of faith and discovery.

next class:
OCIA Session 3: The Bible & Revelation – Scripture and Tradition