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6.1 THE SUFFERING SERVANT 6.3 EASTER NARRATIVES

6.1.1 Paschal Mystery 6.3.1 Mystery of the Resurrection
6.1.2 Purpose of Christ’s Suffering 6.3.2 Post-Resurrection Appearances
6.1.3 Accusations Against Jesus
6.1.4 Christ’s Ultimate Passion
6.2 THE DEATH OF CHRIST
6.2.1 Jesus’ Predictions of His Death
6.2.2 The Mystery of the Cross
6.2.3 Historical Perspective
6.2.4 Later New Testament Interpretations

6 Christ’s Paschal Mystery

 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery

6.1 THE SUFFERING SERVANT

6.1.1 PASCHAL MYSTERY

Jesus had suffered from rejection many times. At the time of his birth, he was deprived
of a decent place to be born in, he stayed in a manger. He was rejected by his own
townspeople and relatives. Jesus rightly said that he will be rejected by the elders, the
chief priests and the Scribes, be killed, and then rise after three days (Mk 8:31).
Jesus took the form of the human flesh to save us, and this unique mission of salvation
has its climax in Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. This saving event is the
Paschal Mystery. This Paschal Mystery caps the teachings, words, and deeds, and the
personhood, and mission of Jesus. The Paschal Mystery is a living reality.
The term “paschal” originated from the Hebrew pesah, meaning “passover,”
or the commemoration of the salvation of Israel from the death of their
firstborn and their consequent liberation from Egypt. Christ’s salvific passion
and death happened during the passover feast in Jerusalem, making Jesus’
sacrifice as the new passover.
Easter is the biggest celebration of the Paschal Mystery in Christianity, while
Christmas is the second biggest celebration of the Church that commemorates
the beginning of Christ’s passion as he was born in a lowly manger.

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery
6.1.2 PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S SUFFERING
Before Jesus suffered the pains of the crucifixion, Jesus had suffered the pains of
rejection and betrayal of his dearest friends. Their leader, Peter, was no different
from the rest. Peter was first among equals. To him, the keys of heaven were
entrusted. To him, the revelation that Jesus is the Christ was given. Jesus must
have expected more from Peter. Peter had denied him three times. It was indeed
a long and lonely event for Jesus to have been left and abandoned by his friends
in those trying times.
We can empathize with the feelings of Jesus because we have shared in the
loneliness he had felt as we experience it in our lives as humans. We hear stories
of broken relationships between husbands and wives, dysfunctional families, and
abandoned children.
In all these human experiences, we are never alone. God in the person
of Jesus, suffered the same. He suffered for us and with us. We must
connect our suffering with the suffering of Jesus so that this union will
be a worthy sacrifice to the Father. Only then will our suffering have a
salvific meaning.

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery
6.1.3 ACCUSATIONS AGAINST JESUS
As Jesus went through his public ministry to preach the Kingdom of God
and heal people of their illnesses, not everyone is pleased to hear of the
Good News of God’s divine revelation in the person of Christ. They were the
so called “elders,” also known as the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes
were are official teachers of the community. They were threatened by
Jesus’ unconventional knowledge and authority that contradicts their
own rigid interpretation of the Scriptures. That is why Jesus was branded
by many various accusations.
Impostor • They say that Jesus acts as if he is Moses who authors the law that was passed on the Jews for
generations. www

False Prophet • They say that Jesus was trying to introduce erroneous teachings which are not according to
the old Jewish customs that leads the people astray. However, Jesus never violated the law of Moses, rather he
perfected it through love. www

Evil One • They say that Jesus, being an impostor and false prophet means that he was sent by Satan. Jesus’
enemies call him an impostor, a false prophet and an evil one because they are not open to Jesus’ way of
teaching and due to their religious insecurities. www

Blasphemer • (1) The Jews are very cautious when it comes to calling or mentioning God even with His title
as ‘YAHWEH’. Reference to God can never be brought upon any “casual” utterance.” However, Jesus calls God,

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery
‘Abba’ which is a very personal and casual reference to one’s father.
In our case, it is like calling God as Papa, Daddy, Dad, etc, which is very
inappropriate in Jewish customs. This, for them is an act of Blasphemy or
disrespecting the name of God. (2) Jesus also said that he and the Father
(God) are One. That whoever has seen him has also seen the Father. This
for the Jews is also an act of Blasphemy. www

On the contrary, Jesus want people to realize that God is the source
and maker or the universe, making us His children. Children need to
establish closeness to their Father in order which is normal for us. By
calling God ‘Abba’ explicitly establishes the closeness that we need to have together with God. Jesus saying that
he and the Father are One rightly affirms his identity as the real Son of God which his enemies do not accept
nor understand.
Glutton and Drunkard • Jesus is often seen to be eating and drinking wine together with tax collectors. This
leaves as very bad impression for the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes, since tax collectors are treated to be
unclean people and public sinners. www

Conversely to the accusation, Jesus was sent into the world for the sake of sinners in order to be changed and
feel that they are still loved by God. So, the best way that Jesus can do to show to them that God cares for them
is to eat and drink with them which is a sign of closeness and friendship. The Son of God, Jesus, eating and
drinking with sinners means that God always have time to be with sinners that would hopefully lead to their
conversion.

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery
6.1.4 CHRIST’S ULTIMATE PASSION
The beginning of Jesus’ passover passion begins upon his entry in Jerusalem.
It is in Jerusalem where his last days on earth took place with the events of his
suffering and death, as well as his resurrection. Jesus entered Jerusalem riding
a donkey instead of a horse. Considering people expecting him as their Messiah
adorned with majesty, Jesus’ entrance was already a humanly shameful thing.
Thus, the successive passion events took place.
The Washing of the Feet • The act of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet was an act expected from servants and
slaves to their master. Jesus being their teacher and master was not obligated to do this. However, it was done
to show, and for his disciples to imitate, that one who is great must act in total humility and serve others. This is
done by overcoming our pride.
The Last Supper / Institution of the Eucharist • The Last Supper took place during the Jewish celebration of
the Passover Festival. As the Jews commemorate their salvation from Egypt, Jesus offered his body and blood
as a sacrifice to ransom us from sin. The message of the Last Supper is to teach us to give our entire selves for
the sake of others. This is done by overcoming our selfishness.
The Agony at the Garden • After their supper, Jesus and his disciples went to the mount of Olives in the Garden
of Gethsemane to pray. This was a time of reckoning for Jesus as he makes his ultimate decision to offer himself
to die on the cross for the salvation of mankind. The message of this passion event is to teach us to hold on to
our faith in God even during our darkest moments in life. This is done by anchoring our sight towards our object
of hope and faith in God’s promise, and not on the passing moment of our lives.

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery
The Betrayal of Judas and the Arrest of Jesus • After Jesus prayed
in the garden, a mob of people and soldiers together with Judas came
to arrest him. After making his ultimate resolve, Jesus allowed himself
to be taken without any complain or resistance. He chose to let the will
of the Father take over the situation. This is done by totally surrendering
ourselves to God.
The Trial of Jesus • After his arrest, Jesus received charges of Blasphemy
from the Sanhedrin. It is the Jewish court where they settle their legal
matters. He was subject to countless ridicule and punishment that he
does not deserve. Eventually, he was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate instead of a Barabbas, a notorious
criminal. With is, Jesus teaches us to hold on our true identity despite the accusations of others. This is done by
overcoming discouragements brought to us by other people.
Jesus’ Death on the Cross • After the scourging at the pillar, Jesus was
given his cross to carry towards mount Calvary. Jesus accepted the death
that was not meant for him, yet he willingly do so because of what it brings
to the people he loves—us. Jesus fulfilled his mission to the very end and
showed us the ultimate love of God. We can imitate this by fulfilling our
promises to our families, friends, and the people we serve, as well as to
learn to love and serve those who hate us.

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery

6.2 THE DEATH OF CHRIST

6.2.1 JESUS’S PREDICTIONS OF HIS DEATH www

Jesus already knows the kind of fate he is into just like the prophets before him who were killed by those who
opposed their message. Three times before he entered his passion in Jerusalem, he told his disciples about his
fate and imminent death. This was recorded in all three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
However, even Jesus’ disciples did not fully understand what kind of Messiah Jesus is. They always think that
the Messiah does not suffer and die. Moreover, they did not pay much attention about his rising again on the
third day. Peter was rebuked by Jesus when he said that he cannot allow it to happen to Jesus.

6.2.2 THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS

What could be a more frustrating episode in the life of Jesus for his
followers and believers than his death? They pinned their hopes on Jesus
as the fulfillment of the promised Messiah, yet before their eyes, they saw
him arrested, humiliated, and crucified. They could not comprehend the
irony of the Cross, the sign of defeat and death.
Until the present, the Cross remains an enigma. We should remember
that the mystery of the Cross is a challenge to be embraced, to imitate
Christ who became obedient to the Father unto death.

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery
6.2.3 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Jesus’ death was indeed a historical event and was even recorded in secular
history, particularly that of the Jewish-Roman scholar Flavius Josephus.
Looking at history, Jesus died a political death as he was sentenced by the
Romans in fear of his growing supporters. The title of messiah, having a political
connotation among the Jews, became the leverage of the Sadducees to
charge him as a political rebel against the Romans.
Among his followers, his death was linked to Israel’s rejection of the prophets, and just like any other prophets, his
death was simply understood as an unfortunate fate. The salvific meaning of Jesus death was not an immediate
interpretation among his followers at that time. Even after his subsequent resurrection, his followers see at as
God’s personal vindication to Jesus as His faithful servant.

6.2.4 LATER NEW TESTAMENT INTERPRETATIONS

Newer interpretations about Jesus’ death emerged at a later time after
his resurrection and ascension into heaven, especially in the writings of St.
Paul. His death was later understood as a divine preordination and divine
necessity by reflecting back on the events of the gospels, Jesus’ predictions,
and the events that lead to his death and resurrection. They finally accepted
that Jesus was meant to die as he himself predicted many times.

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery
The apostolic Church realized that Christ’s death was soteriological, meaning that His death is redemptive and
for the atonement of sins. Christ was identified as the “Suffering Servant” in the prophesies of Isaiah (52-53)
who was a figure rejected and killed by mankind, but was exalted into life after his death.

6.3 EASTER NARRATIVES

6.3.1 MYSTERY OF THE RESURRECTION

The resurrection is the most important miracle as the Father raised Jesus
from the dead for accomplishing his mission on earth. It has become the most
compelling proof of His divinity and the foundation of our faith. As St. Paul said,
“If Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your
faith” (1 Cor 15:14). It is the apex of His Paschal Mystery and His triumph over suffering and death. The resurrection
is the culmination of the history of salvation. Because of the Resurrection, we can now be certain that we will
also be raised to eternal life after this earthly sojourn.

6.3.2 POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES ▶

There are two main reasons to support our faith on the resurrection of the Lord. First is the empty
tomb, which is the primary indication that Jesus was no longer dead, but has risen. And second, is the
many accounts of Jesus’ appearances to his disciples in different times until his ascension into heaven.
However, Jesus only appeared to those who have faith in him, and not to those who persecuted him.

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 6. Christ’s Paschal Mystery
We should not think that the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection was
simply to vindicate or justify himself, rather, he appeared to his disciples in
order to rekindle the flames of their faith that was devastated by his death.
That is why there is no need for him to proclaim himself to those who has
no faith in him, because his part in the mission of salvation has already been
accomplished, and it is the task of his disciples to continue his mission with
renewed spirit.
Early in the morning after the sabbath, (1) Mary Magdalene was first to witness the resurrected Christ on her
way to the tomb to bring oil for the supposed dead body of the Lord. (2) Other women as well who went to visit
Jesus in the tomb saw the risen Christ on their way back. Then later that same day, Jesus appeared to (3) Peter
near Jerusalem, as well (4) to two of His disciples on their way to Emmaus. And Lastly, on evening that same
day, (5) Jesus appeared in a room before his apostles, except for Thomas who was not there that time.
Jesus appeared to more than 500 of his disciples after that day
until the day of his ascension 40 days later.
When the risen Lord appeared to five instances on the day he was
resurrected, His disciples did not readily recognize Him, for he was
already in a glorified existence, no longer bound to the limits of
time and space, and the Church teaches, that this would also be
the kind of existence we will have in the day of general resurrection.

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that’s the end of
lesson 6!
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