What is the Paschal Mystery? The Paschal Mystery is God’s plan of salvation which was ultimately fulfilled by four events in Christ’s life: His Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension to heaven. The Paschal Mystery is the means by which Jesus redeemed humanity from sin and eternal death, and reconciled man with God. At the Transfiguration, Luke’s Gospel mentions Moses and Elijah conversing with Jesus about the “exodus” that He was to accomplish in Jerusalem (cf. Luke 9:31); this “exodus” was Christ’s Paschal Mystery. Through His Passion and Death, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world, His Resurrection signifies victory over the power of sin and death, and His Ascension signifies His ascent to glory at the right hand of the Father.
Why is it called the Paschal Mystery? The word “Paschal” comes from the Hebrew word “Pesach” which means “Passover.” Therefore, the Paschal Mystery can be translated as the Passover Mystery. Do you remember the story of Passover? It commemorates the Israelites’ freedom from slavery in Egypt. The tenth and final plague that facilitated the release of the Israelites was the angel of death who slew all the first-born in Egypt; however, the angel “passed over” the homes of the Israelites whose doorposts were marked with the blood of a lamb.
What is the significance of the Paschal Mystery in the life of a Christian? It provides a model for Christian life. By following the example of Christ’s sacrificial death and victorious resurrection, Christians embrace this pattern of dying to self by denying oneself and rising to new life with Christ through steady change and conversion. The Paschal Mystery encourages us to live a life of holiness, humility, selflessness and love for others. By offering our sufferings to God, we are able to participate in the ongoing work of salvation. This practice allows us to join our suffering to Christ’s for the good of others and the Church.
How can we encounter the Paschal Mystery in our everyday life? By participating in the Sacrifice of the Mass. The Eucharist is the sacrament that particularly commemorates the Paschal Mystery. Because the Sacrifice of Christ is made present and offered during the Mass, it is a powerful means by which the faithful, who are present, can participate in Jesus’ work of redemption. Each time we go to Mass, we gather together as a community to give thanks, to praise God, to receive His grace, all the while renewing and applying the saving power of Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross, not only towards our personal intentions, but to the entire world.
One way that we can actively participate at Mass is by receiving the Eucharist in a state of grace. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we are drawn closer to Jesus and to each other as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. Another way that we can actively participate at Mass is by offering the Mass at which we are present for our personal intentions. The priest offers the Mass for the Mass intention, but those who are present at Mass can also offer the Mass for their personal intentions. This has been a practice of mine since youth up until I became a priest. I always looked forward to coming to Mass because I always had someone that I can offer the Mass for.