The Paschal Mystery: The Resurrection

The Resurrection  Validates Jesus’ Promise of the Forgiveness of Sins (Victory over the Punishment of Death)  Can only be realized and affirmed through the “eyes of faith” (Luke 24:31, John 20:29)  Gives my own life and death new meaning (sharing in the service and the sacrifice of Jesus)

The Paschal Mystery: The Resurrection 3 examples of narrative unity that connect the events of the Paschal Mystery in the gospels

(1) Breaking Bread… Luke 22:19 (Last Supper Scene) 19 “Then [Jesus] took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’” 19 “Then [Jesus] took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’” Luke 24:30-31a (Emmaus Story) 30 “And it happened that, while [Jesus] was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him…” 30 “And it happened that, while [Jesus] was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him…”

(2) Open Wounds… John 19:32-34 (Crucifixion Scene) 32 “So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then the other one who was crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, 34 but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” 32 “So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then the other one who was crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, 34 but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” John 20:26-28 (Resurrection Narrative) 26 “Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” 26 “Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.’ 28 Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

(3) Loving Service… John 13:12, 15 (Last Supper Scene) 12 “So when [Jesus] had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, ‘Do you realize what I have done for you?’ [….] 15 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should do.” 12 “So when [Jesus] had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, ‘Do you realize what I have done for you?’ [….] 15 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should do.” John 21:9, 12 (Resurrection Narrative) 9 “When [the disciples] climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. [….] 12 Jesus said to them, ‘Come, have breakfast.’ And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they realized it was the Lord.” 9 “When [the disciples] climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. [….] 12 Jesus said to them, ‘Come, have breakfast.’ And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they realized it was the Lord.”

Recognition: A Common Theme  In all of these stories, the disciples come to recognize the risen Jesus through some word and/or action!  Homework: In an image (8.5” x 11”) or song (iPod), share with us a moment of recognition when you realized something greater than yourself

Mysterion and Martyrion Luke 24:44-49 (Resurrection Narrative) 44 “[Jesus] said to [his disciples], ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.’ 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 “And he said to them, ‘Thus it is written that the Messiah would have to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.’”

The risen Jesus gives three crucial gifts…  The gift of Sacrament… cooked fish and broken bread shared with his disciples call to mind the Eucharist  The gift of Peace… In both John’s and Luke’s Resurrection Narratives, Jesus encourages his disciples not to fear  The gift of the Holy Spirit… “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. And when [Jesus] had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21a-22)

Jesus gives these gifts…  Freely…  In the context of Community…  For Mission…for our sharing in Service and in Sacrifice