From Jesus to Christ

1. Session 3 Pascual From Jesus to Christ

2. GOAL Wrap-UP Luminous Mysteries Consider the component of Jesus’ death and Resurrection

3. The Transfiguration The Fourth Luminous Mystery

5. The Transfiguration Context: This event occurs seemingly a few days after Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah, Yet Jesus mysteriously responds to this act of faith by predicting his Passion, death and Resurrection. (Mt 16:16ff) The event occurs on top of a mountain where it’s just Jesus, Peter, James and John.

6. AND NEXT? Jesus’ face and clothes shone like the sun Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus Father’s voice came from the clouds “this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

7. Symbolism To faithful Jews, Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the message of all the prophets. This was a sign that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law and prophets. This event strengthened the faith of Peter, James and John, right before the ordeal of Jesus’ Passion and death.

8. The Institution of the Eucharist The Fifth Luminous Mystery

9. GOAL Explore what is popularly known as the Institution Narrative of the Eucharist. How does Jesus make the connection of the Eucharist and the Passover?

10. Some Vocab • Passover – The night the Lord passed over the houses of Israelites marked by the blood of the lamb, and spared the firstborns from death. It also is the feast that celebrates the deliverance of the Chosen People from bondage in Egypt and the Exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land. • Eucharist- Literally means thanksgiving. • typically means the liturgical celebration of Mass for the Catholic Church • Also, as a noun, refers to the bread and wine that is substantially changed to the body and blood of Jesus Christ (for the Catholic Church) • Anamnesis- opposite is amnesia • Means to remember, a Memorial • 2000 years ago, the Jewish understanding of “remembrance” means to make something present again. • Sacrifice – “sacred offering”, to make holy (or dedicate to God) • Sacre – Holy, of God • Fice – to offer

11. Strategy Look at the Hebrew Scripture narrative on Passover Compare it to the Gospel narratives Consider what theology is the Gospels trying to convey

12. Exodus 12: 1,3,5,7-8 1The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 3Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth of this month every family must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household. 5Your lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. 7They will take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8They will consume its meat that same night, eating it roasted with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

13. Exodus 12:11-14 11It is the LORD’s Passover. 12For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn in the land, human being and beast alike, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the LORD!b 13But for you the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thereby, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.c 14This day will be a day of remembrance for you, which your future generations will celebrate with pilgrimage to the LORD; you will celebrate it as a statute forever.

14. Passover scene from Prince of Egypt Some context for the Passover

15. Some intriguing scenes from the Gospel of John 1:29 The next day (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God,* who takes away the sin of the world.t

16. 19:14 (Crucifixion scene) It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. Footnote: Noon, the time when, according to John, Jesus was sentenced to death, was the hour at which the priests began to slaughter Passover lambs in the temple

17. Exodus 12: 22 Then take a bunch of hyssop, and dipping it in the blood that is in the basin, apply some of this blood to the lintel and the two doorposts. John 19: 28o After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled,* Jesus said, “I thirst.”p 29There was a vessel filled with common wine.* So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. 30* When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.”q And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

18. Ex 12:43,46 This is the Passover statute… You shall not break any of its bones.* • John 19: • 32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. • 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, • 34*s but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. • 35An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows* that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may [come to] believe.t • 36For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: • “Not a bone of it will be broken.”

19. The Last Supper(according to Synoptics)

20. Narrator: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. Jesus: Take and eat; this is my body. Image in public domain

24. Narrator: Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them. Jesus: 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. Image in public domain

26. for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.

27. In this instance… Jesus is identifying himself with the Paschal Lamb of Passover The original Paschal Lamb was offered to free the people of Israel from the slavery in Egypt, A true sacrifice, the people of God were designated holy (or “OF GOD”)

28. Jesus as the Passover so through his Passion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Jesus’ life is offered up for us. This is the core of the Paschal Mystery, which Catholics enter into every time we participate in the Eucharist. (p 77) Hence, a “sacrifice” that reconciles humankind to God. Not just death that is a sacrifice, but his life and Resurrection.

29. Question to ponder • If, in giving us the Eucharist, Jesus left us a way of continuing to be present with us even after his earthly life was over, why did Jesus choose a meal as his way of doing this? • Why “whenever you eat this bread and drinkthis cup, remember me”? • Why not every time you plant a seed, row a boat, take a walk, watch the sunrise, and so on? And, if a meal, why bread and wine? • NOTE: you’ll break into groups to discuss this

30. Just as Important… John 13 describes Jesus washing the feet of his disiciples at Passover… Reading this contextually, who washes feet 2000 years ago?

31. John 13:12c-15 “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

32. Important point The Catholic Church places this Gospel reading in its Holy Thursday Mass, which celebrates the Institution of the Eucharist (and the Priesthood) This suggests a close connection between the Eucharist, ministerial leadership and service. In other words, you cannot simply go to the Eucharist as a simple by-stander…you are called to serve in the same way Jesus does.

33. Conclusion part 1 of 3 • For Catholics, there is no more important way of forming our identity as Christians than participating in the Eucharist, • which has endured for almost two thousand years as Jesus’ way of continuing to be present with the faith community that bears his name. • This is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. • All are invited to the table; all should be equally welcome to the table just as it is in the Reign of God.

34. Conclusion part 2 of 3 • The Transfiguration and Institution of the Eucharist anticipated the Passion and death of Jesus (as well as his Resurrection). • This suggests an intimate connection between Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection. • Therefore, you cannot separate these components.

35. Conclusion part 2of 4 • Jesus’ as the Lamb of God offers his life (death and resurrection) for humankind to redeem them from sin • Or makes humankind holy (SACRIFICE for humankind)

36. Conclusion part 3 of 4 Jesus uses Bread and Wine in the Eucharist to express a dual expression of Meal (table fellowship) and Sacrifice (make humankind holy). Participation in the Eucharist is participation in the heavenly banquet.

37. Conclusion part 4 of 4 • Jesus uses the Eucharist to be a “memorial” of his sacrifice for humankind (his life, death and resurrection). • He connects himself to the Paschal Lamb of Passover • Jesus also ties to this “memorial” the duty of service, using the symbolism of the washing of the feet. Therefore, to celebrate in the Eucharist is to commit one’s self in service to others like Christ would. • The fact that he does this to his Apostles is a clear sign that leadership is first and foremost SERVICE.

38. Break Socrative 5 minutes

39. The Redemption of Christ A RECAP: Jesus’ Passion and Death Pascual 3.2

40. Gameplan • Look briefly into the events of the Passion and Death of Jesus • Consider the historical analysis of the scene • Reflect on the theology that comes from these stories.

41. The Events of the Passion • Jesus and 12 enter Jerusalem to celebrate PASSOVER • Jesus “Cleans” the Temple • Gets the Jewish and Roman Leaders attention (Mk 11:18) • The Last Supper • Institutes the Eucharist • Washing of the Feet

42. Part 1: Jesus in the Temple

50. Part 2: The Last Supper