Paschal Mystery

Journey of Jesus from humanity to

Birth, Passion, Death and Resurrection

Because of this , the New Testament Gospel was
made and so with the other Books which are
necessary for the propagation of this CHRIST

Palm Sunday – triumphant entry to Jerusalem

He rode on a donkey – Middle class
Symbolizes His humble
service
With his sandals – low class
When He arrived, He was welcomed warmly
The waved leaves, palms, clothes placed on the
ground and they sang:
“Hosanna in the highest”
They thought He was really the one and
would battle for them.

The people were the ones who proclaimed Jesus

as the Messiah

Palm Sunday Today

Coconut leaves most abundant available leaves in
commemoration of Christ entry to Jerusalem.
Why Sunday? Because it is Christ’s Resurrection

Holy Monday – Cleansing of the Temple

Temple - no more good people. They turned it into a

marketplace

Commercialism – basis of corruption and bribery

Jewish Tradition One has to travel once a year to
Jerusalem to worship
They bring offerings and sacrifices
Rich – to offer Lamb (Unblemished)
Poor – Pigeon (white)

Temple Currency – change their money for it

Cleansing of the Temple – Painful and bravest act of Jesus
Greatest insult to the Church Authority

2 Reasons of Jesus’ Anger:

1. Place of prayer become a marketplace

2. Exploitation was going on.
Result: Jesus became a wanted man but Jesus
challenged the Jewish Religious leaders publicly.
They now started plotting openly.
Consequence: Jesus was on hiding
Holy Tuesday: Day of Controversy
• Planned how to trap Jesus
• Question of Authority (Mt. 21: 23-27)
By what authority are you doing these
things? Who gave you the authority?
Jesus Answered: “I’ll ask you one question: If you
answer me, I will tell you by what
authority I do these things.”
“Where was John’s baptism from?
Heavenly origin or human origin?”
Answer: “We do not know.”

Jesus: “Neither shall I tell you from

what authority I do these things."
The two discussed among themselves:
Heavenly Origin: Why did you not believe Him?
> Authority will be angry.

Human Origin: We fear the crowd for they regard John

as a prophet.
> People will be angry.

Question on paying taxes > lawful to pay to Caesar

Question about Resurrection > Mt. 22: 23-33

Greatest Commandment: 2 Commandment

Who are my neighbors? Parable of the Good
Samaritan

* Destroy this Temple in 3 days I will rise it up

* I and my Father are one

Holy Wednesday: Anointing at Bethany in the

House of Simon the Leper.
Mary Magdalene – anointed Christ with perfumed
oil
Jesus said to her: “Your sins are forgiven.” He
was accused as a false prophet
because only God can forgive
sins.
Betrayal of Judas: He betrayed Jesus.
He divulged the dwelling
place of Jesus.
Why did Judas betray Jesus?
1. Greed and love for money.

2. Filled with envy and malice. * All are Galilean

He is a Judean

3. Judas did not like the temple cleansing and He

feared Christ would lead bloody resurrection as
nothing. Therefore He chose his way to get rid
of Jesus at least temporarily.
4. Judas wished to have Jesus arrested so that
he would not be harmed by his enemies. (for
fair trial)

5. Judas was enslaved by Satan and this was not

free agent when he betrayed Jesus.

6. Judas was angry with Jesus for not declaring

his Messiahship.
Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Feast of Passover Washing
of the Feet
Biblical Understanding of Remembrance

Memorial is not just a simple recall or an act of

reminiscing but making present of the past
event.
Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles
Customary in the celebration to
clean yet usually for a master to do
it to His followers.
Meaning: Humble service not just simple gesture
Sacrifice
Thanks
Eucharist is not just a remembrance
giving

1. Sacrifice – the Offering Com-

munion
- the priest & victim
2. Thanksgiving – through his sacrifice we were
saved from cursing. Highest
form of worship/Prayer.

3. Communion – “Union” oneness not only with

the Son but with the Father.
Bread – Body
Wine - Blood

Host – living Body of Jesus (Faith)

Could be bread

Last Supper – originated in the breaking of the

Bread
4. Celebration – not an attendance but a
celebration
The priest is not the celebrant but all of us
 Feeling
People active participant, whole being
Attention
- Puts ourselves to it
- Giving ourselves
- Allow Christ to be with us – enter into our
being

Good Friday: Gethsemane – Prayer to the Father

“Not my will but Your will be done.”
- The human nature of Christ
struggled
- Prayed and suffered. He chose
to obey God.
Significance
- Jesus manifested His decision to do God’s will.
• Obedience to the Father
• It was there and then that He fully
surrendered to God’s will not only on the
cross.

He was brought to Caiaphas (High Priest)

He was charged of blasphemy – due to His

prediction – destroy this temple and in 3 days
I will restore it.
> Spiritual temple was the one that Jesus will
build in the Hearts of men.

> He was brought to Pilate (Governor of Judah)

> He brought to Herod (King of Judah) because

He is a Galilean.

> He was brought back to Pilate again because

He is a Galilean.
> He was crucified and died
Capital punishment given to traitors,
disobedient slaves/criminals. Others
are stoned to death
Who killed Jesus?

1964 – Vatican II Resolution

To absolve the Jews of killing Jesus or
not. Did they kill Jesus?

1700 – voted NO (through Pilate’s command)

185 – voted YES
The decision of the Roman Rules

Why was Jesus killed? Did He have to die or

Did He choose to die?
1. God’s will
1. Original Will (intention)
Spread the Good News
Preach the Gospel
Discipleship of man

2. Circumstantial Will (Consequence)

People get mad and lead to His death

and crucifixion
3. Ultimate Will (Final)

He prayed at Gethsemane

He made a final decision to die in

accordance with the original will of the
Father.
Passion of Christ
3 Fold Mission of Christ
Prophetic Prophet – stand and die for the Truth.
Preaches the Truth

Priestly Priest –He mediates bet. God and man

through His Prayer. People will
come to Him because they
thought they can pray for
them.

Kingly King – He serves, liberates thru His

acts.
Where is our Faith based on?
Resurrection

Death of Jesus – the most painful experience of

His followers.

Theory: How can a man resurrect when He did

not die?
> Pre-arranged – stolen perhaps
Proof of Christ’s Resurrection:
Empty tomb and His appearance to the to the
apostles, Mary Magdalene and Emmaus people.
 Why did Jesus tell us to carry out our cross?
1) Self-Denial

2. Self- 5. Love of 3. Death

Sacrifice Enemies

4. Humble
Service

6. Carry your cross with

Christ
Share this Resurrection to everybody
Everybody – a day for Resurrection
Only if we also Joy
die for Happiness
everybody Love
Commitment
 O.T. N.T. NOW
Passover Last Holy
Meal Supper Mass

Meat –Partake Bread –Body Bread – Living

Body of
Blood – Mark Wine - Blood Jesus
at the Wine – Living
door Blood of
Jesus

Slavery – Egyptian Sin

Salvation
Departure – Freedom Forgiveness