The package of gifts that is the 'Paschal Mystery' (Sunday homily)

 There is a big picture to what is going on in the readings. 

Let me try to sketch it out for you.

You will often hear in the prayers at Mass a term, “Paschal Mystery.”

And you may not want to admit, you’re not sure what that means.

Here’s what it means. There is a whole package – a series – 

of good things God has done for us.

God planned to come among us – as one of us – to bring hope and life. 

Not just limited to this world, but eternal life.

Part of that plan always was for Jesus to take the path of suffering, all the way to the Cross.

His death on the Cross takes away our sins. 

Of course he could have done it another way, 

but that is the way God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – decided would be best.

Jesus rose from the dead in his human body. That’s the Resurrection. 

That’s essential because that proves his word is true, 

and it shows us the eternal life you and I will have.

After his resurrection, Jesus sets in motion more of the plan: 

the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

And with the gift of the Holy Spirit comes 

the empowering of the Apostles; the Body of Christ, 

the community of believers on earth, which we call the Church. 

Through the Apostles and the Church, 

we have the seven sacraments – each giving us divine life. 

And the Holy Spirit is the one who empowers the Apostles – 

and their successors, the bishops – 

to be the messengers of Christ’s teaching. 

That doesn’t mean the bishops are better than you and I are, 

or less sinful, or smarter, or anything else. 

It means that for the benefit of the faithful – you and me – as needed, 

God keeps them on track. 

We’d like it if God prevented bishops from making any bad decisions! 

Parish priests as well! But that’s a lot to ask. 

So instead, what God does is keep the bishops – the pope in particular – 

from teaching error in matters of faith and morals.

This is where we often use the term, “magisterium,” 

which means the bishops’ role of teaching; 

and the term “infallibility,” which means God’s guardrails 

to keep the Church from going into the ditch.

So – think of all this as a lot of gifts, all in nice wrapping paper.

All these gifts are part of the “Paschal Mystery.”

And, really, there’s still more: that which lies ahead, 

which is when all the faithful have been gathered into the Kingdom, 

and we have a new heavens and a new earth. 

All that, together, makes up the Paschal Mystery.

This whole package is what the Holy Mass – on the Lord’s Day, Sunday – 

exists to make real for each of us, 

so that you and I don’t get lost and disconnected.

Occasionally I see an ad on TV or the Internet that says,

you need more fruit, more vegetables, 

and since that’s hard, here’s a capsule! 

Take this every day, and you get it all!

And, in a sense, that’s what the sacraments are for you and me.

They are the “capsule” that “contains” all these gifts God has for us.

Baptism: you take that “capsule” just one time; now God lives in you!

Confirmation, which we see in the first reading, 

“seals” all God’s gifts in us with the Holy Spirit. 

We only need that once.

Confession: take that frequently, as needed, 

to revive the life of God in us, 

when you and I wound or even kill it with venial or mortal sin.

And then we come to the Eucharist – 

which many of our children are receiving today for the first time.

Like a vitamin pill, the Sacred Host is small; 

sometimes people who can’t swallow 

will take even smaller portion of the Host.

And when you and I receive the Precious Blood, we only need a sip.

The full reality of what – and Who – the Eucharist is,

far exceeds anything our minds can grasp.

Sometimes people will say, maybe second grade is too early, 

because you are too young to understand it.

But let me tell you: NO ONE can truthfully claim 

to understand the gift of the Eucharist! 

Here’s better news: you don’t have to pass a test!

That’s why I emphasize that God’s gift is really a bundle of gifts, 

and ultimately, it’s all the Gift of God himself.

God doesn’t need or expect you and me to “understand” fully.

It’s good to try, and God helps us go deeper and higher.

Even in heaven, you and I will still gaze at Jesus and realize,

there is still more of the gift to unwrap and discover.

Today is when our second graders unwrap one of the gifts.

As they do – as each of us is privileged to be with them,

this is a moment for us adults to learn from our second graders.

Boys and girls, pray for the rest of us, 

that each of us will follow your good example of hungering for Jesus, 

your reverence, and your capacity for wonder.

Sometimes we get where we think, “I’ve seen it all.”

What a mistake! There’s always more to the Gift.