Catholics believe that the loving presence of God has been communicated to the world in an extraordinarily tangible way through the person of Jesus Christ, a man who walked the earth 2,000 years ago in Palestine and whose whole life was animated by the Spirit of God.
During his short life (for he only lived to around 33 years of age) Jesus preached a bold message of love, of freedom from fear, of the promise of life. People experienced him as a person of extraordinary love, bringing healing, hope and forgiveness of sins to those who knew him. So great was his impact among the people of his day that the religious and political authorities felt threatened. So much so that Jesus was put to death by crucifixion.
Jesus' followers were devastated by his death. But then something happened beyond their wildest dreams. Jesus was raised from the dead! They experienced his living presence in a whole new way. Their lives were transformed.
They came to recognise Jesus as the Son of God, the 'Christ', God-with-us. Jesus had said many times that both the Son of God and God were one. Jesus' followers realised that God had been revealed through Jesus: they saw Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and part of God.
Your Faith, A Popular Presentation of Catholic Belief
