Jesus Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension and Pentecost

Jesus’ Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension and Pentecost Oh, and the Assumption

What is the meaning of suffering? God is not the cause of suffering; he is not the cause of physical and moral evil. Suffering is a direct result of the rejection of God’s plan of Creation.

What is the meaning of suffering? God’s response to the human choice to ‘go it alone’ and turn away from the divine plan of goodness was and is his continuing promise to ‘save’ us. In Jesus’ words and actions we see the fulfillment of this promise and the true human response to suffering.

Jesus freely accepted suffering—the Crucifixion Jesus faithfulness to his Father and to the mission he was sent to accomplish resulted in his execution by crucifixion. Jesus faced this reality with great anxiety and he wished it might be otherwise (see Matthew 26: 36 -46), but he freely accepted his suffering as the consequence of the fulfillment of his mission as the Savior of the world.

Historical and political context of the Crucifixion At the time of Jesus, Judea was under the control of the Roman Republic. Following the death of King Herod the Great, the Roman Emperor sent a governor, Pontius Pilate, to Palestine to quell any signs of rebellion. When Jesus entered Jerusalem and was greeted by the people shouting, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!’, many Pharisees became fearful of a negative Roman reaction.

Historical and political context of the Crucifixion Throughout his public ministry Jesus experienced growing animosity and plotting against him and it became clear to him that he would suffer and die because of his works and teachings. The animosity from the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders was not only because of their political concerns. Some of them believed that what Jesus was doing was contrary to Jewish law. Once the Jewish leaders resolved that Jesus had to die ‘for the sake of the nation’, they decided to put Jesus on trial quickly.

The charges Against Jesus The authorities made two accusations against Jesus. First, Jesus committed blasphemy by claiming to be God and predicting the destruction of the Temple. Second, Jesus had committed a crime against Roman law because he claimed to be a king [in opposition to Caesar]

Who crucified Jesus? The Church teaches clearly that the false and dangerous charge of holding all Jews, past and present, responsible for the death of Jesus is evil and erroneous, and must end, and should never be repeated again.

God Remains Faithful For the disciples, the Death of Jesus was not just a setback, a twist in the road; rather, it seemed to mark the end of all their hopes and expectations. Recall the words of the disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus in Luke 24: 13 53. At the time, they did not understand that this was part of God’s plan of Salvation.

Jesus—Savior, Messiah and Suffering Servant Jesus was the One Promised by God. He was the Savior and Messiah, who would victoriously and definitively defeat death and evil through his own suffering and Death. Jesus’ whole life was both an offering to his Father and a commitment to the divine plan of Salvation.

Jesus—Savior, Messiah and Suffering Servant The mission of the Messiah and his commitment to the divine plan of Salvation was proclaimed in the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah wrote that the Messiah would be a Suffering Servant. (Read Isaiah 53: 1 12. )

The events of the Passion • • • Betrayal by Judas Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane Arrest and Imprisonment Trial before the High Priest Betrayal by Peter Trial before Pilate Trial before Herod Mockery and scourging Carrying the Cross Crucifixion and Death Burial

Jesus—fully human, fully divine Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God, was truly human and truly divine, true God and true man. Jesus was fully human in all ways except sin.

Agape (Agape) Agape is a Greek word for the love that is given totally for another. It is the love that motivates a person to give themselves so completely and unselfishly that they are willing, knowingly and freely, to sacrifice their life for another. St. Paul used the Greek word kenosis, which means ‘an emptying’, to help us understand the depth of God’s love for us.

The Cross means ‘Never give up!’ The Cross of Jesus is God’s ultimate pledge to us that we need not and should never ‘give up’ when facing despair or sin. Because of the Cross, there is always hope—in every situation.

The story of Sr. Maura Clarke A Maryknoll Sister who worked with the poor in El Salvador. Assassinated by Salvadoran army officers along with three other Sisters on December 2, 1980. Because of their option to stand in solidarity with the poor of El Salvador, these women were labeled as subversives by the Salvadoran authorities. They showed themselves to be true followers of Jesus Christ, the Crucified One.

Where do we find hope? Stories about the triumph of good over evil point to our belief in the existence and power of good. This helps us find meaning in life, even in the most difficult situations. C. S. Lewis’s book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one great example of how this hope is expressed in modern life. Lewis’ friend, Tolkien, called an Event that restores our hope, When all seems lost, A Eucatastrophe.

Jesus’ Resurrection is Our Hope Jesus’ Passion, Resurrection and Ascension is the foundation of our hope. The Paschal Mystery is the divine act that sets us free from sin and death. This gives us great hope for eternal life with God.

Jesus’ Resurrection is Our Hope Jesus was not simply a good and heroic man. Jesus was Goodness and Love itself at work among us. Christ’s Resurrection assures us of our own resurrection to new life after death. Jesus redefined and redeemed the reality of death.

Jesus Rose from the Dead Mary Magdalene was the first disciple to discover Jesus’ empty tomb in John’s Gospel. (A small group of women discovered it in the Synoptics. ) When she ran and told the others, no one could fully understand what had happened. The empty tomb was the first sign of Jesus’ Resurrection and the disciples’ first step toward recognizing what Jesus had been trying to teach them.

Mary Magdalene is the first disciple to whom the Risen Lord appears. She stands weeping by the empty tomb because she thinks the body of Jesus has been stolen. When Jesus comes to her, she thinks he is the gardener and does not recognize him. Then he calls her by name; and hearing his voice, she recognizes the Risen Christ and immediately embraces her beloved Jesus. The Risen Lord tells her to go and share the Good News of the Resurrection with others.

Thomas the Apostle (“Doubting Thomas”) The Risen Lord’s first appearance to the disciples as a group takes place on Easter Sunday evening. However, Thomas the Apostle is absent. When the other disciples tell him the Good News, Thomas refuses to believe until he can touch the Risen Lord’s body for himself. The Risen Lord returns to the disciples again and offers his body to Thomas to touch. Thomas recognizes Jesus says, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe’ (John 20: 29).

Jesus said to the disciples many times, ‘Peace be with you. ’ This comforted them and strengthened their faith so that they could go out and share the Good News with others. The Resurrection gave the disciples great hope and made them bold witnesses of Christ. Sharing the peace of Jesus

Jesus is transformed! Christ’s Resurrection was not a return to earthly life…. In his risen body he passes from the state of death to another life beyond time and space. —CCC, no. 646

Jesus is transformed! The earthly body of Jesus was changed so much that neither Mary Magdalene nor the disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized him at first.

Jesus is transformed! We cannot know the exact nature of the Risen Lord’s body, but we can say that it has become imperishable and immortal; no longer limited by the rules and confines of this world. Jesus’ transformed body was a sign and promise of God’s Kingdom.

God promised Salvation Jesus’ Resurrection fulfills God’s promises in the Old Testament and those of Jesus himself during his earthly life. God’s plan of Salvation has been accomplished.

Jesus showed us who we were created to be The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus show us clearly who we are called to be as disciples and what our mission is on earth. Our call is to go out to all the world and share the Good News of Jesus with all people. Our Lord became what we are, that he might bring us to be what he is himself. ’ —St. Irenaeus

We believe in resurrection Jesus’ Resurrection should fill us with joy because it signals the fulfillment of God’s promises of the Covenant. It gives us the grace to live in right relationship with God, with others and with all of creation.

We share in the Paschal Mystery Resurrection and eternal life are not just something to look forward to in the future. This belief shapes how Christians live their lives each day. We show our Christian identity in our efforts to follow Jesus, who is ‘the Way’.

The story of Dismas, the Good Thief The Gospel accounts of Jesus’ Crucifixion tell us that two thieves were crucified along with him (see Luke 23: 33), whom the tradition of the church has named Gestas and Dismas. Gestas, we are told, mocked Jesus. Dismas, on the other hand, acknowledged his sin and uttered these memorable words, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom’, to which Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise’. Even in the last moments of his life, this ‘good thief’ was forgiven and assured of eternal life.

Why should we think about death? A true understanding of the meaning of death that God has revealed can help us live life more abundantly and embrace every day as a gift.

The Last Things Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, particular judgment, Final (Last) Judgment and resurrection of the body are referred to as ‘The Last Things’. To reflect on these realities helps us know more about God’s relationship with his people as well as our relationship with God.

Martyrs accept the sacrifice From the beginning of the Church, Christians have been willing to make the sacrifices required for being witnesses to faith in Christ, even if it meant sacrificing their life in death. The days of the early Church have been described as the ‘Age of Martyrs’. The early martyrs knew that Jesus had predicted that his disciples would suffer and they trusted in Jesus’ promises that he would be with them in their suffering.

Martyr From the Greek word martyr, which means ‘witness’. In a Christian context, a martyr is ‘one who witnesses to Christ and the truth of faith, even to the point of suffering’ (USCCA, 5190).

God alone is judge Jesus’ mission was to bring forgiveness and reconciliation. He was not looking for revenge or punishment. Jesus often warned his disciples against rushing to judgment of other people. God alone knows the inner workings of people’s hearts. God alone is judge.

Our journey to eternal life The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus gives us good insight into the journey to eternal life. Read Luke 16: 19– 31. Jesus said: You cannot serve God and wealth. —Luke 16: 13

God’s Desire For Us God’s desire for us is eternal life with him in Heaven. Seeing God face to face is called the ‘Beatific Vision’.

Purgatory The Catholic Church’s teaching on Purgatory is a message of hope that proclaims the mystery of divine mercy. All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. —CCC, no. 1030

Hell is freely and knowingly choosing to live for all eternity refusing God’s love. Catholic teaching stops short of labeling anyone as Hell-bound, even people who have harmed others and committed great evil in their lifetime. God is always offering us the grace to repent, until the very end. Hell

Virtues are good habits The only way to prepare for eternal life is to seek holiness. Virtues are good habits that help us to live good lives. When we practice these virtues, we grow closer to God and deeper in holiness.

Two different kinds of virtue Human virtues are acquired by education, by intentional and persevering personal effort. They are prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. Human virtues are rooted in the Theological Virtues of faith, hope and charity (love).

The greatest virtue All virtues are always at work in building up the Body of Christ in the world. St. Paul writes in the First Letter to the Corinthians: And the greatest of these is love. — 1 Corinthians 13: 13

The story of the early Church The early Church in Jerusalem lived as ‘one’. The members shared all their possessions in common, and they helped those around them who were in need. They studied the teachings of the Apostles, shared meals together and worshiped in the Temple. There was something so irresistible and attractive about ‘the way’ the members of the early Church were living that Luke tells us, ‘day by day the Lord added to their number’ (Acts 2: 47). In their witnessing to their faith in Christ, the members of the early Church were also giving a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven to those around them.

What is the new creation? The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus changed the whole world for ever. St. Paul proclaimed: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! — 2 Corinthians 5: 17

What will heaven be like? As humans, we can only try to imagine what heaven will be like because it is so far beyond what our minds and hearts can understand. Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

We cannot even imagine St. Paul writes about what heaven will be like: What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him. — 1 Corinthians 2: 9

Leaving the nest When baby birds leave their parents’ nest for the first time, very often they fall to the ground. But with their parents’ help, eventually they succeed in flying. In the Scriptures, God is portrayed as a mother eagle, a tough and protective parent.

Jesus goes up to Heaven The risen Lord spent forty days with the disciples after his Resurrection and then he ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus promised the disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to empower them to become his witnesses to all the people.

The Ascension is challenging When the risen Jesus left the disciples after the Ascension, they knew that a great but challenging opportunity was ahead of them. As baby birds do, the disciples would have to learn to fly on their own. Jesus prepared the disciples for their work throughout his whole life with his words, actions and teachings.

Ascension The entry of Jesus’ humanity into divine glory to be at the right hand of the Father; traditionally, this occurred forty days after Jesus’ Resurrection. —USCCA, 504

Pentecost The ‘fiftieth day’ at the end of the seven weeks following Passover (Easter in the Christian dispensation). At the first Pentecost after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, the Holy Sprit was manifested, given and communicated as a divine Person to the Church, fulfilling the paschal mystery of Christ according to his promise. —CCC, Glossary

Do not let your hearts be troubled After the risen Jesus ascended to Heaven and before Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would come, the disciples were left doubting and wondering about Jesus’ promise. The Acts of the Apostles reveals that this was a time of great prayer.

Jesus fulfilled his promise On Pentecost, Jesus fulfilled his promise by sending the Holy Spirit. The tongues of fire that rested on each disciple were a visible sign of the Spirit filling them with a burning desire to spread the Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection.

The work of the Church begins at Pentecost The Church, born on the Cross and filled with the Holy Spirit, began her work at Pentecost.

Mary received God’s unique graces From the moment of her conception and throughout her entire life, God’s grace preserved Mary from all sin. Mary received unique blessings from God. These include the Immaculate Conception and her Assumption to Heaven at the end of her life.

The Assumption of Mary’s body did not decay at her death as the body of every human person does. From the moment of the end of her life on earth, Mary has lived in glory, body and soul, in the presence of God. This is a dogma of the Catholic faith.

Mary prays for us Jesus gave his mother to be our Mother in faith. Mary is the Mother of the Church. She is in the presence of God and her Son Jesus, interceding on our behalf.

The story of St. Lucy was a martyr whose strength and courage in the face of suffering and death inspire us to live as disciples of Christ. When Roman officials attempted to force Lucy into a life of prostitution, she resisted. She was killed in 304. St. Lucy’s life and death is an example to us that sharing in Christ’s suffering is founded in the hope of sharing Christ’s glory. The Church celebrates St. Lucy’s feast day on December 13.