The Paschal Mystery

Throughout the Easter Season which lasts 8 weeks, we repeatedly hear at Mass the term, "Paschal mystery" or "Paschal Lamb." What does that mean?

According to the Catholic Catechism, "The Paschal Mystery comprises the passion, death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus."

The word "Paschal" means to "Passover." It refers to the passing of God on the Passover night, when the Israelites left Egypt. God struck the houses of Egyptians and left the Israelites untouched, i.e. passed over, because the blood of the lamb that was sacrificed was put on the door posts of their homes as they celebrated the Passover supper setting them free from slavery in Egypt to journey to the Promised Land.

Jesus is the True Paschal Lamb, (Passover Lamb) Whose death and resurrection has saved us from the slavery of sin and death.

The Eucharist is the New Passover and Jesus is the Paschal Lamb, (Passover Lamb) Whose Body and Blood we eat and was shed to save us from slavery to sin and death so that we can be free as the People of God to journey to our Promised Land, the Kingdom of Heaven.

Every time we come to Mass, by eating the Body and Blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, we remember His Paschal mystery, namely how we were saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus and are now free from sin and death to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.