The Paschal Mystery

Father Thomas Richstatter, popular writer and lecturer, invites us to explore the meaning of the Paschal Mystery, one of the key beliefs of our Catholic faith. At every celebration of the Mass, we are invited to acclaim the ""mystery of faith,"" yet many Catholics, if asked what this is, may fumble around for an answer. Father Tom suggests that we think ""plan"" when we hear ""mystery""--the plan being ""God's wonderful plan for all that exists."" The key to understanding this plan is love, particularly as revealed in the life and teaching of Jesus. Through his death on the cross, Jesus' ""perfect act of love,"" he ""is taken up into the life and love of his Father. The Resurrection is the Father's response to all that Jesus said and did."" When we acclaim the ""mystery of faith"" at Mass, we ""remember how the pass over of Jesus [from death to eternal life] has saved us from the slavery of selfishness and enabled us to pass over into the freedom of God's children.""