The Paschal Mystery Unit 4 – Living the Paschal Mystery Lesson 1 Redemptive Love Material from: Death Shall Have No Dominion - Rev. Alfred McBride, O Praem. and The Paschal Mystery – Christ’s Mission of Salvation – St. Mary’s Press

Next to the term “Topic” write “Jesus’ suffering, death, and Resurrection” Fill in this handout with things that you know, you think you know, and things that you want to know related to this topic. We will share with a partner shortly, and then, with the class. Try to complete it with at least 10 items (with at least one item in each of the three columns!) 10 minor category points Everything I do, I do it for you – Bryan Adams I Know, I Think I Know, I Want To Know

Sacrifice = giving up of something valued: a giving up of something valuable or important for somebody or something else considered to be of more value or importance Jesus begins his ministry as a prophet of life, and then in midstream changes his perspective to that of saving victim. Jesus went through stages in his ministry In the beginning = Miracles and life-affirming sermons Later on = A committed move to delivering the message of the Kingdom of God Midpoint = The mood changes to death thoughts. He began to teach them that the Son of Man had to suffer much (Mark 8:31) “The hour has now come for the Son of Man to receive great glory.” (John 12:23) Christ’s Attitude Towards Death

The experience of Christ’s suffering and death is like the difference between the vision and the method of accomplishing it. The vision is one of divine and human personal fulfillment. The means toward it is sacrificial love. Sacrificial or Redemptive love = Agape (Greek) – – Love that is willing to give everything, even one’s own life, for the sake of redeeming, saving, or setting free another person. – Can you think of some examples from your life??? –  Jesus begins his ministry with the vision and concludes with the ultimate method of implementing that vision – a sacrificial death, an ultimate testimony of love. Why does the story happen this way?

God does NOT demand that we suffer, and it is not a good thing! It is more correct to say that it is unavoidable The fundamental story of the Christian faith is not the origin of evil, suffering and death, but rather of the God who was willing to enter into the midst of evil, suffering and death in order to rescue humanity. Suffering is not a necessity – but a fact of our present, fallen existence (indeed we are falling away from existence when we separate ourselves from God). Life in Christ is the way through suffering, but not an escape from suffering. Is suffering necessary for sacrifice?

Was Christ’s suffering necessary?Was Christ’s suffering necessary?Was Christ’s suffering necessary?Was Christ’s suffering necessary? Do suffering and sacrifice go hand in hand?Do suffering and sacrifice go hand in hand?Do suffering and sacrifice go hand in hand?Do suffering and sacrifice go hand in hand? Small Sacrifices – Activity – using the handout, spend a few minutes with your partner listing some small sacrifices that you participate in on an everyday basis. Small Sacrifices – Activity – using the handout, spend a few minutes with your partner listing some small sacrifices that you participate in on an everyday basis. How are these reflective of Christ’s sacrifice? My Sacrifice – Creed Critical Thinking!!!

Thus in Christ each believer is commanded to “take up your cross and follow me.” There is no Christianity that does not entail the cross. But the voluntary act of love that is Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is the same voluntary act of love to which believers are invited – to make of our suffering an act of self-offering in union with the suffering of Christ (Romans 12:1). We do not seek an increase in our suffering, nor do we shirk the responsibility of aiding others whose suffering may be relieved. But to seek to avoid all legitimate suffering is a sign of sickness, not of health. Suffering is not necessary – but you’ll not get through life without it. The WAY Through Suffering

Christ did not deny death, though that did not mean that he rushed to the Cross with eagerness Jesus showed restraint as much as possible in the battle with malice. Even at Gethsemane, he pleaded with the Father to let the cup of death pass. Only when all of the circumstances merged, and the Father’s call seemed pressing, did Jesus freely surrender himself to the hand of the executioners, all whom he forgave just before his final breath. Aware of His fate

Was Jesus conscious of the link between martrydom and his goal to bring justice and peace to the earth? We cannot know for certain - in biblical times age spans were approximately 40 years infant mortality high public executions were common   For Jesus, there could be no denial of the reality of death or an avoidance of it as in our modern culture where we can make attempts to shield ourselves from the experience.   In order to delve more deeply into the topic of redemptive love we will be briefly look at the lives of some modern-day martyrs, or people who embody this ideal. Aware of His role?

“The Spitfire Grill” In the next lesson, we will look more closely at the events which are included in the Passion of Jesus Christ To explore more completely the concept of redemptive love, we will be viewing the film “The Spitfire Grill” To prepare for this film you will need to read the article entitled “The Meaning of the Cross” before coming to class and be ready to answer questions and discuss it including a possible quiz!