God’s Plan for Salvation is Fulfilled Section 3: God’s Plan for Salvation is Fulfilled

The Suffering and Death of Jesus Section 3, Part 1: The Suffering and Death of Jesus

Introduction Heart of the Paschal Mystery, fulfills God’s plan of salvation Passion, Death, Resurrection, & Ascension (narrow definition) All that we have done is preparation In this section we examine heart of PM & meaning Begin with the Passion & death of Jesus Christ Danger is to take for granted like wearing a cross Why do we revere a criminal? Who executed Jesus & for what reason? How did Jesus’ death bring us freedom from sin & death & restore us to original holiness & justice? Three Articles (A. 22) – The Events of the Passion (A. 23) – Who Killed Jesus (A. 24) – The Meaning of the Cross

Article 22: The Events of the Passion Defn. Passion—divine but especially human aspect Catholic crucifix vs. protestant cross (corpus), Stations of the Cross, Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, Good Friday, 7 Sorrows—central 1 day but ½ to 2/3 of all four Gospels—only details differ Passion timeline (chart in book) Jerusalem Entrance (Sat./Sun.) Tension with chief priests in Jerusalem—cleansing of the temple Jerusalem = center of worship, esp. Passover Irony—welcomed as a king to crucified as a criminal in a week Last Supper (Thursday) Final Passover celebration with the Apostles Jesus reveals himself as the Paschal Lamb Washing of Feet, Institution of Eucharist (Holy Orders), Fraternal Charity Garden of Gethsemane Prayer to the Father—strength & obedience Betrayal by Judas & arrest by Temple guard Parallelism between Jesus & Adam; Judas & Eve

Article 22 cont.: The Events of the Passion Trial before the Sanhedrin Secretly charge Jesus of blasphemy by perjury but no authority Trial before Pilate Switch charge to treason in front of governor Scourging at the Pillar (purple cloak & crown of thorns) A mocking gesture to command obedience & hasten death Carrying of the Cross Heavy crossbeam from Praetorium through Jerusalem outside gates up hill of Calvary to Golgotha on open wounds & low blood The Crucifixion (foolishness or the power of God?) Romans perfected the torture of crucifixion Last words = OT fulfillment Jesus’ Death (fully divine but also fully human) Only 6 hours on the cross & taken down early (Sabbath) Temple veils tears & earthquake; details of burial = true Resurrection

Church Devotions: The Events of the Passion The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary The Stations of the Cross 1) The Agony in the Garden 2) The Scouraging at the Pillar 3) The Crowning with Thorns 4) The Carrying of the Cross 5) The Crucifixion 1) Jesus is Condemned to Death 2) Jesus Accepts His Cross 3) Jesus Falls for the First Time 4) Jesus Meets His Mother Mary 5) Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross 6) Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus 7) Jesus Falls for the Second Time 8) Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem 9) Jesus Falls for the Third Time 10) Jesus is Striped of His Garments 11) Jesus is Nailed to the Cross 12) Jesus Dies on the Cross 13) Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross 14) Jesus is Buried in the Tomb 15) Jesus Resurrects from the Dead Church Devotions: The Events of the Passion

Homework Read A. 23 in the e-Book Section 3, Part 1 review questions 1-2

Article 23: Who Killed Jesus? Divine & human reasons behind Jesus’ death just like his natures This article is about human reasons; next one about divine Creed mentions Rome; Gospels mention Rome & Jews so both? Easy to cast blame but what about us? Anti-Semitism is illogical & scandalous—brothers & sisters (NA, 4) Jewish Leaders’ Reasons Challenged authority of Jewish leaders (chief priests, Sanhedrin, etc…) Sabbath, forgiveness of sins, rich & poor, sinners (sick, tax collectors, prostitutes, etc…) Undermined them & Torah with Jewish people Came to a head each time Jesus visited Jerusalem, esp. last time Charged with blasphemy through perjury Punishment was stoning but only Roman procurator allowed to execute

Article 23 cont.: Who Killed Jesus? Roman Leaders’ Reasons Not explicitly clear in the Gospels but is from records of the time Procurator had absolute authority in his district & therefore also absolute responsibility to Roman Emperor & Senate Two tasks: keep peace & send share of taxes to Rome Employed local natives to assist = Herodians in 1st century Judea Enforce Roman laws, collect taxes, & report to procurator (esp. plots) For a time, also appointed high & chief priests of the Temple 1st century Judean procurator (governor) was Pontius Pilate Tried all cases of treason (switched from blasphemy) Death by crucifixion, not stoning, was the punishment Pilate was a ruthless & effective governor = listened to Jewish leaders Gospels (Lk. & Jn.) portray him as ambivalent towards Jesus—why? Barabbas, scouraging to dissuade, innocent 3x’s, plead with Jesus Ultimately Pilate is responsible along with Jewish leaders as well as us Irony in the Passion Accounts: Jewish blasphemy & Roman threat

Homework Read A. 24 in the e-Book Section 3, Part 1 review questions 3-4

Article 24: The Meaning of the Cross Divine reason for Jesus’ death Salvation from sin & death for every human being “Christianity is the fairytale that is true” (Chesterton) Most of the NT is dedicated to this theme Categorized into three symbolic metaphors Jesus, the Suffering Servant--obedience Fulfillment of the OT prophet Isaiah (42, 49, 50, 52, & 53) St. Paul speaks of the obedience of Christ in Romans Jesus, the Paschal Lamb—mercy spares Fulfillment of the OT Hebrew feast of the Passover (Ex. 12) John & Revelation refer to Jesus as the Paschal (Passover) lamb

Article 24 cont.: The Meaning of the Cross Jesus, the Ransom for Many—freedom at a price Gentile origin & purpose (slavery) Mk. 10 (Why: Son of God & Gentiles; not Jews) Transfer of ownership Metaphors—symbolic but real truth; not literal Understanding in Church Tradition Julian of Norwich (1342) Suffering = compassionate love St. Ephraim of Syria (4th century) Hymns—human death = divine life Why did God require Jesus to die such a death to save us Original Sin Jesus freely accepted Suffering & death are strengths for God--Resurrection

Homework Section 3, Part 1 review questions 5-6 Study for the Section 3, Part 1 quiz tomorrow (AA. 22-24) Make sure the Section 3, Part 1 review questions 1-6 are ready to turn in tomorrow