Can you believe it? –Always hope! The Resurrection Difference While some of the first disciples were initially skeptical of and not expecting the Resurrection, the faith of the early Church was centered in Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, God’s saving acts in Christ accomplished ‘for us and for our salvation’. Their hope, founded in Jesus’ Resurrection, changed everything for them and for all people until the end of time.

Can you believe it? –Always hope! The Resurrection Difference Paul proclaimed what was handed on to him; namely, that Jesus had lived, died and then was raised up by God the Father on our behalf (Romans 4:25), and he knew well how high the stakes for Christians (and for all humankind) ‘if Christ has not been raised’: ‘then... your faith has been in vain’ (1 Corinthians 15:14).

Can you believe it? –Always hope! Jesus’ Farewell Meal with His Friends The Passover meal celebrates the events of the Exodus, God’s freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples for the last time at the Last Supper. It was at the Last Supper that Jesus transformed the Passover meal and instituted the Eucharist.

The arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus The Events of the Passion Jesus celebrates the Last Supper with the disciples. Jesus predicts Peter’s denial. Jesus and the disciples go to pray at Gethsemane. Judas betrays Jesus. Peter denies knowing Jesus.

The arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus The Events of the Passion Jesus is put on trial before the chief priests and scribes. Pilate rendered his verdict that Jesus be crucified. Jesus is forced to carry his Cross to Calvary. Jesus is nailed to the Cross and dies.

The arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus Sacrifice Sacrifice is a free offering, a gift, made by a person for the welfare of others. The word ‘sacrifice’ comes from two Latin words meaning ‘to make sacred’. Such a gift is deemed to be sacred—a special and a sincere sign of love and life. The greatest sacrifice of all is to give one’s life for another. In a religious context a sacrifice is ‘a ritual offering made to God by a priest on behalf of the people as a sign of adoration, gratitude, supplication, penance, and/or communion’. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, 527

Reversing death into new life Jesus Is Risen! ‘Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there…’ (John 20:3-10) The disciples returned home when they found the empty tomb. How might Peter have felt then?

Reversing death into new life Jesus Is Risen! Mary Magdalene remained at the empty tomb, weeping. She then saw two angels inside the tomb, who asked, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ Then the Risen Christ, whom she mistook to be the gardener, approached her. Jesus called her by name, ‘Mary!’, and she recognized him. How might Mary have felt then?

Jesus’ Resurrection: What really happened? What is the Resurrection? Jesus’ Resurrection was not the same kind of raising to life as when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead or the daughter of Jairus. Theirs was a bodily resuscitation—they would live a while longer and eventually die again.

Jesus’ Resurrection: What really happened? What Is the Resurrection? Jesus was raised to a radically new life, a ‘glorious life’. His body was so transformed that it had properties that were not limited by space and time and ‘his humanity can no longer be confined to earth, and belongs henceforth only to the Father’s divine realm’ (CCC, no. 645).

Jesus’ Resurrection: What really happened? What Is the Resurrection? The body of the Risen Jesus could: pass through walls (John 20:19); walk along with two disciples without their recognizing him (Luke 24:31); appear in the room to which the disciples had locked doors, yet Thomas could touch the wounds in his side (John 20:19-25); appear in another form (Mark 16:12).

Jesus’ Resurrection: What really happened? The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven Then he led them out as far as Bethany; and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple praising God. Luke 24:50-53

Jesus’ Resurrection: What really happened? What Happened for Us? Savior: Christ saves us from all the powers of evil that threaten to destroy our lives. Redeemer: Christ redeems us by paying the price (redemio) to buy us back from the bondage of sin, canceling whatever debt we owe to God. Lord: This name for Jesus expresses the faith of the apostolic Church that Jesus is truly God. The New Testament uses ‘Lord’ for both Jesus and God the Father. Liberator: The One who frees us from the slavery of sin and the death it brings upon humanity.

Jesus’ Resurrection: What really happened? Paschal Mystery In speaking of the Paschal Mystery we present Christ’s death and Resurrection as one, inseparable event. It is paschal because it is Christ’s passing into death and passing over it into new life. It is a mystery because it is a visible sign of an invisible act of God. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, 522

The story of Mary Magdalene He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from who he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him. Mark 16:9-10 All four Gospel accounts make Mary Magdalene the first one to bring the Good News of the Resurrection to the other disciples.

Learn By Heart Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34