RCIA Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery 1 Session 21: - - PDF document

10/23/2019 1

RCIA

Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Holy Week

Introduction

• Holy Week is the heart of the Church year
• Makes present again Jesus’ passing from

life to death to new life

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Holy Week

Palm Sunday

• Passion Sunday due to gospel reading
• Palms blessed outside church

– Remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Holy Week

Preparation Days

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
• Traditionally a time to go to Confession

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Holy Week

Holy Thursday

• Mass of the Last Supper
• Institution of the Holy Eucharist
• Liturgy takes place in the evening only
• Washing of the feet
• Consecrated hosts

taken to adoration chapel

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Holy Week

Good Friday

• Anniversary of the death of Jesus
• Theme: quiet sadness & mourning
• No Mass but…

– Scripture – veneration of the cross – reception of Eucharist from HT Hosts

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Christ on the Cross (c.1630) by Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Holy Week

Holy Saturday

• Early hours: time of quiet and fasting
• No liturgy
• Atmosphere of anticipation
• RCIA: Mini-retreat of fasting and prayer

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Holy Week

Easter Vigil

• Primary celebration of the Resurrection
• Public baptism of adults and reception of other

Sacraments of Initiation

• Church decorated; oil, incense, water, and fire
• Parts

– Service of light and procession – Lengthy Liturgy of the Word – Sacraments of Initiation – Liturgy of the Eucharist

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Holy Week

Easter

• Continues triumphant joy of Vigil
• Jesus is raised and is Lord!
• Believers who are baptized

share in the resurrection to new life

• Fulfilled Passover

– Exodus from slavery to spiritual freedom

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Chrism Mass

Why is This Mass Special?

• All priests from the diocese renew promise of
• bedience to their bishop

– Opportunity to be encouraged by bishop – Opporutnity to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate Mass together.

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Chrism Mass

Why is This Mass Special? (cont.)

• Holy oils blessed, consecrated

– Oil of the Sick (used in Anointing of the Sick) – Oil of Catechumens (Baptism) – Oil of Chrism (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders)

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

Introduction

• Pasch: Passover

– God “passed over” the Israelite homes sparing their first born

• Mystery: known

by revelation but beyond our full understanding

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The Lamb of God (between 1635 and 1640) by Francisco de Zurbarán

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

Introduction (cont.)

• Paschal Mystery

– New Passover – Liberation of all humanity from the slavery of sin by the Son of God – Celebrated at every Mass

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

Introduction (cont.)

• Paschal Mystery (cont.)

– Saving events of Christ’s

• Passion
• Death
• Burial
• Descent to the dead
• Resurrection
• Ascension

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Altarpiece of the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension

• f Christ, Church of the monastery of Santa Maria de Lluçà

(Osona) commissioned in 1341 from the workshop of the sculptor Bernat Saulet

Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

Sin

• Original sin broke relationship between God

and humans

– Ejected from Garden of Eden – Preternatural gifts surrendered – Supernatural life ended – Life on earth to be burdensome, sorrowful – Friendship with God withdrawn – Death inevitable with uncertain after-life

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Detail from The Fall (after 1479) by Hugo van der Goes

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

The Father

• “God is love” (1 John 4:8)
• God would not cease to love and care for us
• God would salvage us

– Sent His Son to restore humans to sonship (Galatians 4:5)

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

Christ Jesus

• His life was an offering of Himself to His Father

in atonement for sin and to reconcile us to the Father

• Eucharist: memorial of His life
• f sacrifice
• Passion was the reason for

the Incarnation

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

Christ Jesus (cont.)

• Sin was the real cause of His suffering & death

– We all contributed

• Resurrection

– Proof that the Redeemer was God

• Ascension

– Jesus’ glorified body resides in Heaven at the right hand of the Father

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

Christ Jesus (cont.)

• Paschal mystery is clear evidence of the…

– tragedy of sin – infinite goodness of a loving God – willing obedience of a Son

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

The Paschal Mystery

Christ Jesus (cont.)

• Paschal mystery gives us promise of…

– forgiveness of sins – resurrection in glory of soul and body – eternity of great joy

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Introduction

• Reception of Sacraments of Initiation gives us

ability to more deeply understand the meaning and mysteries of what God has revealed in the Bible

– Personal, firsthand experience – Flooding with grace

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Some Bible Basics

• The NT is hidden in the OT and the OT is

revealed in the NT

• Type: OT events foreshadowing NT events

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Baptism

• Noah (Genesis 6:1-9:17)

–Waters of flood washed away wickedness –Beginning of a new creation

• Old, sinful self put to death,

new self of grace now lives

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Baptism

• Circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14)

– Sign of God’s covenant – Baptism: incorporation into Christian community

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Baptism

• Crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14)

– Israelites escaped the slavery of the Egyptians – We escape bondage to sin and to the power of Satan

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Baptism

• Crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3-4)

– Israelites enter the Promised Land – We cross over into the hope of eternal life through the outpouring of the Spirit

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Baptism

• Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan (Matthew 3:15)

– Holy Spirit descended on Jesus – Holy Spirit descends on us and dwells within

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The Baptism of Christ (c. 1450) by Piero della Francesca

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Confirmation

• Anointing with oil

– Dedicated a person to God – Oil symbolized the Spirit of God

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David’s Anointing (contemporary) by Albert Chew

Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Confirmation

• Priests, prophets, kings set apart for God
• Special spiritual power and gifts
• Set aside for particular work in God’s service

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Confirmation

• Confirmation

– Perfects gift of grace received in Baptism – Strengthens the soul – Enables powerful public witness

• In words, deeds, and the conduct of our lives

– Help to overcome all obstacles to our salvation – Strengthened to endure suffering and persecution for Christ

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Eucharist

• Jewish Passover ritual

– Houses of Israelites in Egypt “passed over” so first born wouldn’t die

• Last Supper

– A Passover meal – Jesus is the true Lamb that takes away sin

• Liberation of mankind from the bondage of sin

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Typology: The Sacraments of Initiation and the Bible

Types (Prefigurements) of Eucharist

• Manna

– Miraculous “bread from Heaven” during the Exodus

• Last Supper

– Jesus is the “true bread Heaven” (John 6) – While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light symbolizes…

– knowledge – truth – goodness

• Fire is…

– a source of warmth – a sign of love and passion and zeal – something dangerous that can purify or consume

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light and fire in Scripture

– Signs of God Himself in fire

• Burning bush (Exodus 3:2-5)
• Pillar of fire (Ex 13:21)
• “Devouring fire” (Ex 24:17; Dt 4:24)
• Eternal flame by Ark of the Covenant

(Lv 24:1-4)

• “Fire from Heaven” (1 Chron 21:26)
• His words (Jer 23:29)

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God Speaks To Moses From The Burning Bush (contemporary) by Elizabeth Wang

Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light and fire in Scripture (cont.)

– Signs of God Himself in light

• Light and truth (see Psalms 43:3)
• Light & ability to understand (Ps 36:9)
• Light and salvation (Psalms 27:1)
• Lamp (2 Samuel 22:29)
• His word gives understanding (Psalms 119:32)
• His word is a guide through life (Psalms 119:105)
• Darkness: sin; light: forgiveness (Micah 7:8-9)

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light and fire in Scripture (cont.)

– Prophecies of Jesus’ coming (light)

• “People who walked in darkness have seen

a great light” (Isaiah 9:2)

• “A light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6)
• “Give light to those who sit in darkness” (Lk 1:78-79)
• “In him was life…the light of men” (see John 1:4-9)
• The light of revelation to all (see Luke 2:30-32)
• “Light of the world” (John 8:12; John 12:46)

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light and fire in Scripture (cont.)

– Jesus’ pronouncements

• Have come “to cast fire upon the earth” (Luke 12:49)
• “Chaff will burn in unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:17)
• Darkness (evil) opposes the

light (John 3:19-21; Luke 22:53; Mark 15:33)

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light and fire in Scripture (cont.)

– The Church

• Pentecost: “tongues as of fire” (see Acts 2:1-4)

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The Pentecost depicted in a 14th-century Missal

Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light and fire in Scripture (cont.)

– Sin and death is darkness

• “Works of darkness” (Romans 13:11-12)
• Spiritual darkness (see 2 Cor 4:4-6; Eph 4:17-19)
• “World rulers of this present darkness” (Eph 6:12)

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light and fire in Scripture (cont.)

– Light as new life as Christians

• “Now you are light in the Lord”

(Ephesians 5:8-14)

– God’s fire and light

• Ends the world (see 2 Peter 3:7-12)
• Eternal for the condemned (Matthew 13:41-42)
• Tests and purifies those who die in God’s friendship
• God lights heaven (Isaiah 60:19; Revelation 21:23-25)

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Light and Fire

• Light and fire in Scripture (cont.)

– We, too, will become glorious

• “The righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of

the Father (Matthew 13:43)

• “Woman clothed with the sun”

(Matthew 13:43)

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The Woman Clothed with the Sun mosaic decorating the West Apse of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was originally designed by Joseph L. Young and manufactured by the Ravenna Mosaic Co. (Rohling 86). A gift from the Society of Jesus, the cartoons for it were painted in 1964, though the mosaic itself was begun a year later and not fully completed until 1967.

Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Resurrection

• “If Christ has not been raised [from the dead],

then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor 15:14)

• The crowning victory
• f Jesus over

sin and death

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Resurrection

• Historical facts:

– Tomb found empty – Appearances of the Risen Christ

• Mary Magdalene, apostles, disciples, five hundred
• He was touched
• He ate food

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Resurrection

• What does it mean for us?

– Definitive proof of his divine authority – Confirms that He is God – Opens the way to a new life – Gives us the promise of future resurrection – Completes the work of justification

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Solemnity of Easter

• Celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection
• The highest feast and greatest of solemnities
• Ushers in fifty-day period until Pentecost
• Joy! Our Savior has risen thus conquering death
• Christ’s divinity is confirmed
• “O happy fault!”

– God turns sin into means for His glory and our good

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

Solemnity of Easter

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he shall die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) “Yes, Risen Lord, I believe.”

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Session 21: Holy Week and the Paschal Mystery

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