The Paschal Mystery: A new joyful life

I am a joyful priest. I mostly have a smile on my face. Why? Because I am loved by God! Because I am loved by God, I joyfully live the Paschal Mystery.

What is the Paschal Mystery? In the big picture it refers to Lent and Easter. Lent is the 40 days of preparation for Easter, and Easter is living a lifetime of joy and happiness with the Risen Lord Jesus. For Catholics it generally refers to the life (suffering), death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us briefly look at each of these three aspects of the Paschal Mystery.

Life is intended to be good, normal and ordinary, with work and play. Jesus says “follow me” and that includes hardships, misunderstandings, and suffering. The last is what we don’t like. We forget that suffering is mostly growth, even when we don’t like it. It is the result of original sin, that first fall. Often it is because we are selfish and want our way, not God’s will. Selfishness lessens our true happiness. We choose to settle for a temporary emotional high over real peace and satisfaction. Mostly, suffering is natural. Examples are: a baby falling many times to learn to walk; a student studying hard to learn math, or learning how to cook and other life skills; a car accident —clearly painful whether accidental or deliberate.

Suffering and pain come in many forms. A woman came many miles (over 1000) for marriage counseling. I spent hours and days and also many miles only to hear “you are not able to fix our marriage.” Quite apart from realizing that was not my task to accomplish, I felt rejected and helpless which is difficult for me. While asking the Lord for guidance and peace, I was rewarded with several other couples who came for assistance, were helped and were happy. I experienced the Lord’s presence in each situation and that deep joy that comes from loving.

The point is: Jesus took on our suffering on the Cross. And God the Son still says “follow me”. We are never alone on this journey through life.

Death is the ultimate suffering, yet it too is essential and necessary. It is the only doorway to go through to reach eternal life. Even here, especially here, Jesus reminds us: “Do not be afraid, I am with you.”

Jesus’ resurrection is Our Heavenly Father’s promise of our resurrection, being with God forever. The Bible says “In Him we live and move and have our being.” That means now, in the present moment. Why should anyone be sad when believing in God’s presence and promise right now, today, not just some future or potential time and place?

Don’t you see? True JOY is not the absence of pain or suffering but the awareness of the presence of God. Our awareness and acceptance of being human, fully human, made in the image and likeness of God brings true peace.

Recall the newborn baby – she is fed and changed and loved unconditionally. Totally free and happy, no work, no worry, and brings us such excitement and joy. That is how Our Loving God sees us and treats us every day of our lives. Lent and Easter are the Church’s seasons to remind us of these daily gifts and mysteries.

Now, do you see why I am such a joy-filled person? Join the “cloud of witnesses” to the One who loves us – WHO IS LOVE.