Before you begin this session, you must obtain a copy of the video Jesus of Nazareth, Part III. Copies are available in the Youth Ministry Office, the Parish Video Library and many local video stores. After viewing the video, complete the questions and return to your catechist.

Jesus of Nazareth is a three video program by filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli which depicts the life of Christ from birth through resurrection. Part III looks at Jesus as he encounters the woman caught in adultery, the Centurion's servant, the blind man and the Pharisees. The final events of Jesus' life: the Last Supper, the trial before Pilate, the Crucifixion, death and resurrection form the concluding part of this video.

Some Historical Facts

• The Pharisees were members of a religious-political group. Their legalistic interpretation of the Law (Torah) led them to practice ritual purification and isolation from others in daily life. They looked for the arrival of the Messiah, the son of David, who would throw off Gentile rule and restore the glory of Israel on earth..
• The scribes, also called lawyers, were a professional class of teachers and interpreters of the Law, closely related to the Pharisees. Some of the scribes were members of the 71-member Sanhedrin, along with the elders and the chief priests. It was probably the scribes who helped preserve the books of the Old Testament, but in Jesus' day their aim seems to have been to preserve the religious legal system.
• The Sanhedrin or "Council" was the highest religious and legislative body which attempted to keep the confidence of the Roman governor while maintaining as much religious and political freedom as possible. This meant keeping the peace among their own people and controlling the zeal of the Zealots.
• The Zealots were not a single group, but liberators, guerrillas or freedom-fighters united in their dedication to throwing off Roman rule.
• The Law  (or Torah) was what the Jews called the first five books of the Old Testament. The Law had to be preserved and reinterpreted for each new generation. Making the Law applicable to current questions was the task of the scribes and rabbis. For this reason, rabbis were called "teachers," as Jesus was referred to occastionally (see John 1:38).
• The Centurions were career Roman soldiers, experience and intelligent, commanding one hundred foot soldiers. They were responsible for discipline, supervised punishments, and commanded troops in the field. They were well paid and prestigious.
• Blasphemy - words or actions of irreverance against God.
• Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, buried the body of Jesus in a tomb on his own property.
• Passover refers to the Old Testament event when the Yahweh freed his people from slavery in Egypt. It became a pilgrim festival that brought as many as 100,000 to Jerusalem each year.
• Pontius Pilate was the Roman Procurator of Judea from 26-36 A.D. who served as judge in the trial and execution of Jesus.

Complete the online assignment form:

Year I - Session 11

Answer the following questions and return to your catechist, or submit online.