Ch. 7: Redemption Through the Paschal Mystery

The Wonders of Our SalvationIf we consider what Jesus Christ has accomplished by his Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension to Heaven, we can only wonder at what he has done for us.

The sacraments make the wonder of Gods work present and help us to celebrate the gift of Redemption.

Discussion: What are some things you have experienced in nature that amaze or impress you?

The Presence of God in CreationCreation itself is the first wonder of the world; it begs us to take notice of Gods power, intelligence, goodness, and love.Human beings are the pinnacle of Gods creation, made in his own image and likeness. Each of us is aware that we are not responsible for our own existencethis existence is a sign of Gods love for every individual.

The IncarnationIn the Incarnation, the Second Person of the Trinity became human and shared in the joys and sufferings of being human.

The Incarnation effected our salvation, fulfilling Gods promises:the ProtoevangeliumGods promise to AbrahamThe covenant with Moses and the IsraelitesThe preaching of the prophets

The Incarnation teaches us important truths:Humans have great dignityAll creation has worthGod shares in both our personal joys and sufferingsThe sacraments help us to celebrate the wonder of the Incarnation in special moments of our lives.

Good News: The Kingdom of God Is at HandThe Kingdom of God, ushered in by Christ, provides the structure and goal for our life in the Lord.

Jesus announcing the Kingdom calls us to be open to the Kingdom in our lives, which requires: Faith: a wholehearted acceptance of and commitment to Jesus Conversion: turning our hearts and minds away from sin and toward God

The seven sacraments celebrate this Good News, offering sacred signs of Gods reign and helping to bring it about.The Kingdom of God Is at Hand

Forgiveness of SinsAn essential part of Jesus mission and message was the forgiveness of sin.Jesus called for repentanceturning from sin, forgiving others (including our enemies), and embracing Gods Kingdom.Through the forgiveness of sin, Jesus reveals that his heavenly Father loves and forgives sinners.All of the sacraments, but especially Baptism and Penance, help us celebrate and make real Gods compassion for us.

Friendship with JesusAnother gift of our Redemption is that we can experience an intimate, loving friendship with Christ.The fruit of this love is membership in the Church.We experience friendship with Jesus in prayer, in fellow believers, and especially in the sacraments.

The Paschal Mystery Wins Our RedemptionChrists work of Redemption is principally accomplished by the Paschal Mystery.

The Paschal Mystery is celebrated and made present in the liturgy of the Church, and its saving effects are communicated in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

Jesus calls us to live the Paschal Mystery in our daily lives by dying to sin and reaching out in love to others.

In order to help us live out this Mystery, God sends us the Holy Spirit, especially in the sacraments.

By enacting the fruits of the Spirit we become more like Christ.

The Last Things: Christian Death and the Resurrection of the BodyThe study of the last things is called eschatology. It encompasses:DeathResurrection of the body Particular and General Judgment Heaven, Hell, PurgatoryAt death our souls will separate from our bodies and our loving God will judge us fairly and compassionately in a particular judgment.

At the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus (aka the Parousia): the Trinity will raise the bodies of both the just and unjustin the Last Judgment Christ will reveal the truth of each persons relationship with Godthose judged to have lived good Christian lives will experience the Beatific VisionGod will transform all material creation in Christ, creating a suitable eternal dwelling for usWe dont know when the Parousia will occur.

More About Eternal LifeImmediately after death, we will experience an individual, particular judgment to determine whether: we will merit the eternal reward of Heaven, need to be purified of our sins in Purgatory, ordeserve punishment in Hell.God does not force us to spend eternity with him in Heaven because God respects our freedom.

HeavenIf we die in Gods friendship and grace and are perfectly purified, we will receive the reward of Heaven. Heaven is sharing in Gods life for eternity.There we will be fully incorporated into Christ, yet we will retain our true individual identities.The happiness in store for us in Heaven is beyond human imagination.

PurgatoryPurgatory is for those who die in Gods grace and friendship but need purification from venial sin before entering Heaven. Purgatory is necessary because we must be unhindered in our love in order to embrace an all-loving God.Our belief in the Communion of Saints supports our understanding of Purgatory. The Communion of Saints includes: The pilgrim Church (those living on earth) The Church suffering (those in Purgatory) The Church triumphant (the blessed in Heaven)

HellHell is eternal separation from God brought on by deliberate mortal sin and the failure to repent.

Both Scripture and Tradition uphold the existence of Hell, though we cannot be certain who is in Hell.

Discussion:

How does the understanding of Heaven and Hell we have been discussing differ from how they are usually portrayed?Why would God ever allow someone to go to Hell?Why would anyone ever choose not to go to Heaven?

Our Hope for the End of TimeAt the Last or General Judgment, Christ will come again, and everyone will recognize Gods saving plan in Christ Jesus.

The virtue of hope helps us to look forward to the glorious day of Christs Second Coming.

*In order to review, teachers may ask students to recall Gods promises/covenants in the Old Testament before revealing the points above.For elaboration on the relevance of the sacraments for this point see p.163.For elaboration on the relevance of the sacraments for this point see p.166.

Teachers should explain the particular judgment as distinguished from the Last or General Judgment, which is discussed in the next slide (cf. pp.172-174).Teachers might note the the representations in the following slides inevitably fail to capture the reality of life after death. They are simply artists attempts to portray some aspect of eternal life.Teachers should explain the difference between venial sin and mortal sin, which is mentioned in the next slide.Teachers may choose to discuss in depth the requirements of mortal sin (viz., grave nature, done knowingly, done willingly).Often Heaven is portrayed in popular culture as a paradise in the clouds rather than being conceived of as eternal life with God. Hell is often portrayed as a place of physical torture (fire, whips, etc.) rather than being conceived of as eternal life of separation from God. See pp.175-178 for more detail.God does not prevent people from choosing to exist separated from him because he respects our freedom. Cf. p.178Some people may choose to live separated from God because, like Satan, they are too proud to worship God and would rather live according to their own desires than according to the ways of God.