These Present Paschal Mysteries

Sr. Margaret Kerry, FSP, ponders the paradox of the Paschal mysteries: we do not celebrate a past event at Easter, but one that is happening now.

New inventions allow us to bring old photos to life. With the app Deep Nostalgia, photos from as long ago as photos were first taken will smile, blink their eyes, and look at you from the past as if they had been brought back to life. Before there were any sound recording instruments, there were wax cylinders. People in the early years of the 19th century could record music and voice. Now we can listen to what they recorded with an invention that can digitize even broken and cracked cylinders.

There is something in each human person that wants memory kept fresh and alive as if it were now. God placed this desire in us not to frustrate it but to fulfill it as God fulfills all promises. This Easter, we are not celebrating memories of something past. We are celebrating what is now, Who is alive and with us. Not an animated or digitalized version. Christ our paschal sacrifice is still living, dying on the cross for our sins and risen to be with us. He has gone to prepare a place for us and He is that place for us today.

"Today Salvation Has Come" Lk 19 painting by Sr. Margaret Kerry, FSP

Even Christian symbols in our homes and churches are more than reminders of promises fulfilled. The crucifix, with its Old Testament prefigured by the serpent Moses raised for healing in the desert, an ancient symbol of healing and restoration, is a real healing icon. Jesus said,

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 3:14; 12:32)

We place crucifixes on our walls and wear them, not for a memory but for a reality that is healing us today, pointing us to the Liturgy, to the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ in the Eucharist and in each other as living Church.

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As Catholics, we participate in all of time at once through the Easter mysteries. #catholicmom

chapel interior copyright Daughters of St Paul

The Paschal mystery is not a memory we need to revive with Deep Nostalgia or words that need a digital update. Our Judeo-Christian faith tells us that today Christ died for our sins, today He speaks his word, today Jesus is risen. Today is the eighth day following the Sabbath symbolizing the new creation ushered in by Christ’s Resurrection (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2174).

As Catholics, we participate in all of time at once through the Easter mysteries. We are already living in a day when heaven and earth are full of His glory. Today, at every Liturgy throughout the year, we are there for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We live these present Paschal mysteries today.

Today is the day of salvation.

lamp and quote in chapel copyright Daughters of St Paul