Chapter 4:
Redemption and the Paschal Mystery
THE MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
ANTICIPATORY SET
Incorporate the account of the baptism of Christ into the class’s
opening prayer (cf. Mt 3:1–17).
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What is the Paschal Mystery?
 Why was Jesus baptized?
 What is the significance of the Wedding at Cana?
KEY IDEAS
 Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection are called the Paschal Mystery
because these events are the reality that the Passover in Egypt
prefigured. Jesus is the true Lamb of God prefigured by the Paschal
lamb.
 Jesus was baptized in order to identify with sinners.
 At the Wedding at Cana, Jesus anticipated the sacrifice of Calvary, first
prophesied in the Protoevangelium, by performing the sign of turning
water into wine.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What events constitute the Paschal Mystery?
The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Why is the Paschal Mystery “Paschal”?
It is Paschal because the Paschal lamb, whose blood had saved the
Israelites, was a type or prefiguration of Jesus Christ, whose Blood would
save all people from the slavery of sin.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why is the Paschal Mystery a “mystery”?
It is a mystery because it deals with realities that go beyond reason’s ability
to comprehend fully, for example, how God could die or man could rise
from the dead.
What is Christ’s Passion?
It is his suffering before his death.
Why is the Passion of Christ an “icon” of God’s infinite love for
every person?
God’s love for humanity can be seen or pictured in his self-sacrificial
sufferings.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students work with a partner to articulate in their own words
three distinct points about the meaning of Jesus’ baptism from CCC 536.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What title did John the Baptist give to Jesus?
The Lamb of God.
How does the title Lamb of God relate to the Passover?
In the Passover, the sacrificed lamb’s blood saved the firstborn son of
every Hebrew family.
How is the title Lamb of God used in the Liturgy of the Church?
In the Mass, this title refers to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What reason did Jesus give for undergoing baptism, even though he
was without sin?
He said it was necessary “to fulfill all righteousness.” This means that the
baptism of Jesus was an indication of his acceptance of his mission and
an anticipation of his own Death and Resurrection.
How is the Blessed Trinity seen at Jesus’ baptism?
When Jesus emerges from the water, the Father is heard in the voice, the
Son is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is seen in the form of a dove.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What are the two closely related appearances of Mary in St. John’s
Gospel?
At the Wedding Feast at Cana and at the foot of the Cross during the Passion.
What title that Jesus gives his mother links these two events with the
Protoevangelium?
In both the Wedding at Cana and on the Cross, Jesus refers to Mary as
“woman.” In the Protoevangelium, God speaks of the “woman” whose seed will
overcome the serpent.
What direction did Mary give the servants that is also the best advice for
us?
Mary told the servants, referring to her son, to “do whatever he tells you.”
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students read the account of the Wedding at Cana (cf. Jn 2:1–11)
and free write for a few minutes on what surprised them the most.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
CLOSURE
Have the students write a paragraph summarizing how the baptism of
Jesus and the Wedding at Cana relate to the Paschal Mystery.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Reading
 Christ’s Temptation by Satan (pp. 119–124)
Study Questions
 Questions 1-4.
 Practical Exercise 1.
Workbook
 Questions 1–5.
1. The Inauguration of the Paschal Mystery
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have the students review the baptism of Jesus and the Wedding at Cana.
As a class discussion, answer the following question.
 What is something we can learn from Jesus’ decision not to do what his
cousin John wanted and to do what his mother wanted?
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
ANTICIPATORY SET
Incorporate Psalm 22 into the class’s opening prayer. After, have
them work with a partner to come up with three parallels between this
Psalm and the Passion.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What temptations did Christ experience in the desert?
 How does the Devil advance his agenda?
 What was Christ’s final temptation?
KEY IDEAS
 Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert, mirroring the Chosen People’s
exile in the wilderness. There Christ experienced three temptations
aimed at trying to get him to establish his kingdom without the Cross.
 The Devil lies and preys on fear to destroy life.
 In the garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross, Jesus was again
tempted to abandon suffering. His victory vanquished Satan, the
“ruler of this world.”
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why did Jesus fast and pray for forty days?
In Sacred Scripture, the number forty indicates a period of trial and
preparation. Jesus fasted and prayed forty days to prepare for his public
ministry.
When during his time in the desert was Christ tempted by Satan?
At the end of the forty days when Jesus was weakest.
What did Satan try to get Christ to do in the first temptation?
To turn stones into bread.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
GUIDED EXERCISE
Devils cannot read our minds. They only know about us by observing
our behavior and making inferences based on that. Have the students
work with a partner to identify some of the events in Jesus’ life
which might have made Satan suspicious that Jesus was the
prophesied “seed” of the woman.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the significance of this first temptation?
Satan was suggesting Jesus should end his fast and give in to his desire for
pleasure and comfort.
How did Jesus react to this first temptation?
He rejected it saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4).
What does Jesus’ reply mean?
It is not the flesh that satisfies the human person, but obedience to the will
of God. Also, since Jesus is the “Word of God” and the “bread from
Heaven,” he is saying that he alone can truly satisfy human beings.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What did Satan try to get Jesus to do in the second temptation?
To throw himself off the top of the Temple in Jerusalem.
What is the significance of the second temptation?
If Jesus gave in and threw himself off, he would be rescued by angels.
Everyone in the Temple would see that he is the Messiah and would follow
him. Jesus would have instant success.
What was the Devil implying about suffering in this temptation?
He was implying that the Son of God should be immune from suffering and
that suffering was meaningless, hence suffering for sin would also be futile.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What did Satan offer Jesus in the third temptation?
All the kingdoms of the world.
What did Jesus supposedly have to do to gain the whole world?
Worship Satan.
What did Jesus say to Satan in response to the third temptation?
“Begone, Satan! for it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and
him only shall you serve.’”
In addition to the fact that it would have required idolatry, why was
Jesus not interested in worldly glory?
His kingdom was not of this world.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How does Jesus in the desert accomplish what Israel in the desert
could not?
Jesus was faithful to the will of God during his forty days in the desert
whereas Israel was unfaithful during her forty years in the desert.
How does Jesus in the desert accomplish what Adam in paradise
could not?
Jesus promptly rejected Satan’s temptations, whereas Adam surrendered to
Satan’s temptation to eat of the forbidden fruit and rebel against God’s
authority.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What was behind all three of the Devil’s temptations in the desert?
The idea that Jesus might establish his kingdom without the Cross.
How did St. Peter tempt Jesus to establish the kingdom of God
without suffering?
When Jesus told his disciples that his suffering and Death were imminent,
Peter said, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Jesus
severely rebuked Peter, saying he was being just like Satan.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What human logic was at work in Peter when he was rebuked by
Christ?
The human logic that suffering and death are to be avoided at all costs.
What did Jesus understand about his mission, contrary to Satan’s
insinuations?
Jesus understood that in order to redeem the world, he would have to
suffer and die on the Cross.
How do we follow Christ’s redeeming actions?
By denying ourselves and taking up our “daily cross.”
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
GUIDED EXERCISE
Remind the students that Jesus said, “If any man would come after
me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”
(Lk 9:23). One thing Jesus is saying is that difficult things come to us
every day.
Have the students free write to identify a few everyday crosses that
they have had to experience in the last few days, experiences that they
could accept and offer up to God.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How does fear cause Peter to sin?
Peter proudly boasted that he would never be unfaithful to Christ, but when
Jesus was arrested, Peter denied him three times, just as Jesus had foretold.
How does fear result in Pilate’s sinning?
Pilate was convinced that Jesus was innocent but because he was afraid of the
crowd and of the Jewish authorities’ threat that they would denounce him as
“no friend to Caesar,” he ordered Jesus’ scourging and crucifixion.
What is the meaning of Christ’s seeming lament, “Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani?”
“My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” seems, at first glance, to
indicate that Jesus felt abandoned by his Father in his greatest hour of need.
However, Jesus is quoting Psalm 22, which foretells a suffering Messiah who
will establish a glorious kingdom.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
In what two ways does the Devil seem to tempt man?
Through distortion of the truth and fear.
What is the consequence of surrendering to the Devil’s temptations?
The destruction of innocent life.
How do Satan’s lies result in the destruction of life in the case of Judas?
Judas first succumbs to the lie that some good could come from betraying Jesus
to his enemies and the result is the unjust killing of Jesus Christ. Judas then
gives in to the lie that he could never be forgiven and so kills himself.
How do we protect ourselves from the evil one?
By being united with Christ.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the temptation that Christ experienced both in the garden of
Gethsemane and on the Cross?
It was the temptation to reject the Cross. In the garden, Jesus asked if the
Father would “remove this cup” of suffering. On the Cross, he was taunted
with, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the Cross.”
How is Jesus’ prayer to his Father in the garden a perfect one for us to
imitate when we are faced with difficulties?
Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me,
nevertheless not my will but yours be done.” It is natural that we should
seek to avoid suffering but the perfect attitude is not to do what we want
but to do God’s will.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
CLOSURE
Have the students write a paragraph explaining the struggle between
Christ and the prince of darkness.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Reading
 Christ Manifests His Divinity through The Last
Supper (pp. 124–130)
Study Questions
 Questions 5-13.
 Practical Exercise 2.
Workbook
 Questions 6-10.
2. Defeating the Prince of Darkness
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have the students free write for a few minutes on parallels between
Peter’s and Judas’s betrayal of Christ.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
ANTICIPATORY SET
Incorporate the Transfiguration into the class’s opening prayer
(e.g., Mt 16:27–28; 17:1–9).
Conduct a think/pair/share on the relationship between
Matthew 16:28 and the subsequent Transfiguration.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What is the significance of the Transfiguration?
 What is the New Commandment and how does it relate to the Decalogue?
 What is the Eucharist and its significance?
KEY IDEAS
 The Transfiguration provides the Apostles Peter, James, and John with a glimpse
of Jesus’ divine glory, which Christ generally obscured through his humanity.
 Christ gave his followers a New Commandment, to love one another with a
sacrificial love, a commandment that sums up and perfects the Old Testament
Decalogue.
 The Eucharist, first celebrated at the Last Supper, re-presents the sacrifice of
Christ at Calvary in an unbloody manner under the appearance of bread and
wine. Received in Holy Communion, the Eucharist gives the Christian the graces
to live the Law of Love and attract others to Christ.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students work with a partner to list the elements of the
Transfiguration that reveal Christ’s divinity.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Generally speaking, what was the visible “status” of Christ’s divinity
during his earthly life?
Both during his hidden years and in his public life, Christ’s divinity was
generally veiled by his humanity.
How did Jesus share in our human experience, even in his public life?
He became tired and hungry; he wept; and, at times, he was righteously angry.
In what ways could Jesus’ divinity be glimpsed during his public life?
Jesus was very attractive and approachable because of his goodness. He spoke
on the kingdom of God with absolute authority. And he performed miracles.
What was the ultimate sign of Christ’s divinity?
The Cross and Resurrection.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How do the Apostles react to Jesus’ insistence that his Crucifixion
and Death are indispensable for the salvation of the world?
They could not understand him, and Peter “scorned” Jesus’ message.
What is the Transfiguration?
It is Christ’s manifestation of his divinity to Peter, James, and John on Mt.
Tabor.
What does Peter’s earlier confession of faith imply?
Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt
16:16), implies that the Apostles were starting to realize the divinity of
Christ.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How is the Transfiguration like God’s Revelation to Moses?
Both took place on mountains, Mt. Tabor and Mt. Sinai respectively.
What is significant about the appearance of Moses and Elijah?
For the Chosen People, Moses represents the Law and Elijah the prophets.
What did Jesus and Moses and Elijah speak about?
Christ’s imminent Death, the very thing that the Apostles could not accept.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How was the Blessed Trinity revealed at the Transfiguration?
The presence of God the Father was represented by the voice, the Son was
present in his humanity, and the Holy Spirit was signified by the cloud.
Why is the Transfiguration a sign of hope to all the faithful?
The Transfiguration gives us a glimpse of what awaits us if we are faithful.
By uniting our sufferings to Christ’s, we can gradually transform our lives
into his. Christ will change our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What does it mean to say that the Holy Eucharist is our Lord’s
legacy?
Christ instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper and left it behind as a
“legacy” or gift to his Church.
What is the nature of the union that the Paschal Mystery creates?
It creates an intimate union of the soul with Christ in which the Lord
actually dwells in the soul.
What is the relationship between the Eucharist, Christian maturity,
and effective evangelization?
The Eucharist gives the Christian the graces to fully replicate the charity and
wisdom of Christ which in turn makes people attracted to the Gospel.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the New Commandment?
Christ’s followers are to love one another in the same way that Christ has
loved them.
What is the example Christ gives his disciples of the New
Commandment in action?
Christ washes the feet of the Apostles and then explains, “If I then, your
Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one
another’s feet.” Extension: In the world of Jesus’ time, washing of feet was
only done by servants or slaves.
How is the washing of the feet related to the Crucifixion?
They are both examples of humble loving service with the Crucifixion as
the greatest instance possible.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students perform a paragraph shrink on CCC 1323
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the origin of the grace needed to live the Law of Love?
The Paschal Mystery.
How was the Last Supper an anticipation of Christ’s Passion?
In both, Jesus offered his complete self to the Father.
Why is the Eucharist God’s greatest gift to his Church and mankind?
The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in both his divinity and
humanity under the appearances of bread and wine. Since Jesus is God,
and God is the greatest being there could ever be, and God gives his very
self in the Eucharist, then the Eucharist is the greatest gift possible.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the relationship between the New and Old Covenants and
the Eucharist?
The New Covenant Law of Love contains the entire Decalogue of the Old
Covenant. The Eucharist gives us the grace to live the Law of Love.
Therefore, the Eucharist makes it possible to fulfill the Old Testament.
What is the point of the allegory of the vine and the branches that
Jesus used at the Last Supper?
Just as the branches must remain united to the vine in order to bear grapes,
so must Christ’s followers remain united to Christ in order to evangelize
the world.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
GUIDED EXERCISE
Conduct a focused reading on the paragraph beginning, “At the
Last Supper . . .” (p. 130) using the following question:
 Even though the Mass has been celebrated millions of times—
and this will continue until the end of time—in what sense is
there really only one Mass?
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
CLOSURE
Have the students write a paragraph summarizing the relationship
among the New Commandment, the Old Testament Decalogue, the
Eucharist, and the Paschal Mystery.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Reading
 The Agony in the Garden through The
Kenosis (pp. 131–143)
Study Questions
 Questions 14–21.
Workbook
 Questions 11–12.
3. Transfiguration and Last Supper
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have the students free write on the following prompt:
 Imagine you were one of the three who was with Christ on Mt. Tabor.
What questions would you ask Moses or Elijah and how do you think they
would answer?
Share responses.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
ANTICIPATORY SET
Explain that the book of the prophet Isaiah contains four poems
about the suffering servant. Incorporate the longest and most
dramatic of these (cf. Is 52:13—53:12) into the class’s opening
prayer, giving each student one verse to read.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
BASIC QUESTIONS
 Who is the Suffering Servant?
 What is the Agony in the Garden?
 What is the Passion of Christ?
 How did Christ die?
 What is the Kenosis?
KEY IDEAS
 Jesus is the Suffering Servant foreseen by the prophet Isaiah, the Messiah who had to suffer and
die for our salvation.
 In the Agony in the Garden, Jesus suffered great mental and emotional anguish to the point of
sweating blood, but submitted to his Father’s will to give up his life.
 The Passion was Christ’s unjust condemnation by the Sanhedrin and Pilate and the full range of
verbal and physical abuses he suffered as a consequence.
 Christ completed his redemptive suffering by dying the horrible death of crucifixion while
forgiving his enemies.
 Jesus entire life was a kenosis, or self-emptying of his divinity, for which he earned our salvation
and his exaltation as Lord.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the Agony in the Garden?
It is the first stage of Christ’s Passion, when he went to the Garden of
Gethsemane to pray for strength to meet his coming sufferings.
Why did knowing the human heart especially add to Christ’s
sufferings?
He knew that many would refuse his gift of forgiveness and salvation.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
GUIDED EXERCISE
Through a class discussion, have the students identify,
explain, and relate the following two statements:
 “Be it done to me according to thy word.”
 “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;
nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Even though Christ did not want to drink the cup of suffering, what
was his final attitude?
He would do his Father’s will.
Who did Jesus have accompany him when he prayed in the garden?
Peter, James, and John, the same whom he had accompany him at the
Transfiguration.
According to Christ’s words in the garden, what is the key to
resisting temptation and being faithful to God?
Watching—that is, staying awake or alert—and praying.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
GUIDED EXERCISE
Conduct a think/pair/share on the following question:
 Jesus knew his Passion would last less than twenty-four hours and
that it would win something of infinite value: the redemption. What
conclusion can you draw about the sufferings Christ foresaw he
would experience based his words, “My Father, if it be possible, let
this cup pass from me”?
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why is it appropriate to refer to Christ as a suffering servant?
In his Passion and Death on the Cross, Jesus suffered in order to benefit
us by making satisfaction for our sins.
What does it mean to say that Jesus suffered physically,
psychologically, and morally?
Jesus suffered physical pain in his body. He suffered mental anguish
because of what was being done to him. He also experienced the moral
evil of sin.
What was the motive for Christ’s suffering?
To make satisfaction for our sins and consequently to redeem every
human being.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What part did Jesus’ freedom play in the redemption?
Jesus declared that “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down
of my own accord.” Extension: This implies (at least) two things.
First, Christ freely chose to redeem us, despite the terrible cost in pain
he foresaw. Second, Jesus did not die until he was ready, after he had
suffered to the last degree of which he was capable.
Why is Christ in solidarity with every person who suffers?
Christ has gone through every kind of pain that could afflict the
human person.
What “gift” has Christ given every suffering person?
People can unite every suffering they experience to the redemption.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What was the Sanhedrin?
The ruling council of the Jews.
With what was Jesus charged?
Blasphemy, a crime punishable by death under the Jewish law.
Why did the Sanhedrin bring Jesus before the Roman Procurator
Pontius Pilate?
They were not allowed by Roman law to carry out the death penalty
and the charge of blasphemy would carry no weight under Roman
law, so they told Pilate that Jesus had claimed to be a king.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What was Pilate’s dilemma?
He was torn between his political ambitions and his conscience.
What did Pilate’s conscience tell him?
Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent of any crime against Roman law.
Why did Pilate send Jesus to King Herod?
Since Jesus was a Galilean and technically under Herod’s jurisdiction,
Pilate hoped Herod would make the problem go away for him.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why did Pilate give the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas?
It was an ancient custom of releasing a condemned prisoner during
Passover. Pilate hoped the crowd would choose Jesus so he could release
him without the Jewish authorities blaming him.
Why did Pilate have Jesus scourged?
He thought Jesus’ enemies might settle for that extremely cruel punishment.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How did the Roman soldiers treat Jesus?
They gave him a horrendous scourging that ripped his flesh. Then they
ridiculed, mocked, and taunted Christ. They slapped him, spit in his face,
dressed him as a mock king, and crowned him with a crown of thorns,
hitting it with a reed.
Why did Pilate finally condemn Jesus to death?
He was afraid that the Jewish authorities might denounce him to Caesar as
supporting an insurgent. He was afraid the Emperor might consider him
“no friend to Caesar” and take away his political appointment.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What are the “Stations” or “Way” of the Cross?
Jesus’ carrying of his Cross from the prætorium to Golgotha.
What does “Golgotha” or “Calvary” mean?
Place of the skull.
Who helped Jesus on the Stations of the Cross?
Simon of Cyrene was forced by the Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry
his Cross.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How was Jesus crucified?
He was nailed through his hands and feet to the Cross.
What reason does Jesus ascribe to men for crucifying him?
Jesus said to his Father that they did not know what they were doing.
In other words, they did not realize that he was the sinless and
innocent Messiah.
Extension: This is an example of Christ’s magnanimity: he ascribes
the best possible motive to their evil.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students do a paragraph shrink on CCC 616
to examine the underlying ideas it conveys.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What were the physical effects of crucifixion?
Searing pain, unbearable thirst, loss of blood, and slow suffocation.
Who is Dismas?
He is the “Good Thief ” who “stole” Heaven by asking Jesus to
remember him when he came into his kingdom.
What were Jesus’ last words on the Cross?
“It is finished.”
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
According to Philippians 2:5–11, what was the double humbling
that Jesus Christ underwent?
First, he humbled himself by taking the form of a man, and then he
further humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.
What does God do as a result of Jesus’ humility?
He exalts him in the highest way possible.
What is kenosis?
It is a Greek word meaning “self-emptying,” which encapsulates
Christ’s sacrificial love.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Did Christ ever use his divinity for his personal benefit?
No. He only used it for others.
What was the last act of Christ’s kenosis or emptying?
When the soldier pierced his side and out flowed blood and water.
How do the kenosis and the Resurrection relate to each other?
The glorious reward that God gave Jesus for emptying himself was
the victory of the Resurrection.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
CLOSURE
Have the students write a paragraph explaining the sufferings of
Christ in terms of the kenosis.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Reading
 He Descended to the Dead through The Resurrection as a
Transcendental Event (pp. 144-151)
Study Questions
 Questions 22-32.
 Practical Exercises 3-4.
Workbook
 Questions 13-24.
4. Christ’s Passion and Death
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have the students work with a partner to read Supplemental Reading 2
(pp. 160–161) by St. John Chrysostom. Each pair of students should
write and answer one focus question for each of its four paragraphs.
5. The Resurrection
ANTICIPATORY SET
Incorporate John 20:1–31 (the Resurrection of Christ) into the
class’s opening prayer.
Then have them free write for a few minutes on what strikes them
the most in this account.
Share a few responses.
5. The Resurrection
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What is Christ’s descent into Hell?
 Did the Resurrection really happen?
 What is the Risen Christ like??
KEY IDEAS
 Upon his death, Christ’s human soul separated from his body. In his
soul, Christ descended to the abode of the dead where he redeemed
the just.
 The Resurrection is a historical event that really did occur.
 In the Resurrection, Christ received a glorified body that transcends
time and space and is no longer subject to suffering or death.
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What happens to the body and the soul at death?
Death is the separation of the soul from the body. The soul continues
in existence but the body begins to corrupt.
Where was Christ between his Death and Resurrection?
His body was placed in the tomb and his soul went to the abode of
the dead.
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What was the place where Jesus went after his Death?
The state of all those who had died before the redemption. It is called
variously Hell, Sheol, or Hades.
What was Hell like at that time?
All who had died were there, whether evil or righteous, all deprived of the
vision of God.
What is the “bosom of Abraham”?
The name of the state of the souls of the just.
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What were the three possible states that the dead entered after Jesus
descended to the dead?
Some went immediately to Heaven, others went to Purgatory for further
purification, and others, who rejected God, entered Hell in the strict sense.
What happens to souls who die now that the redemption has occurred?
They are judged immediately by Christ and go to Hell, Purgatory, or Heaven.
What is Purgatory?
It is a place of purgation for those who die in the grace and friendship of
God but are not perfectly purified.
5. The Resurrection
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students work with a partner to come up with three
ways that St. Joan of Arc’s life is a parallel with the life of Christ.
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
When did Jesus rise from the dead?
On the third day after his Crucifixion. Extension: The first day was the day
he died. The second day was the day we celebrate as Holy Saturday. The
third day was the day he arose, very early Easter Sunday.
What are two false interpretations of the Resurrection?
(1) It is a myth that evolved from the great admiration that the early
Christians had for Jesus Christ. (2) It is a belief that was the result of mass
hysteria in which the followers of Christ convinced themselves that Christ
had risen.
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What do we mean by claiming that the Resurrection is a historical event?
We mean that Christ truly did rise from the dead. It is not a symbol or myth.
How did the Apostles first react to the discovery that Christ’s tomb was
empty?
Incredulity and fear. They had no expectation that Christ would rise from the
dead.
How did Thomas react when the other Apostles told him they had seen
the risen Christ?
He refused to believe until he saw him himself.
How did the Apostles react to the report from the women who said they
had seen Christ?
They considered these reports as an “idle tale.”
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why did Mary Magdalene not recognize Christ when he appeared to
her?
She was perhaps blinded by tears and never expected to see Jesus there. Jesus
may also have looked different. Extension: As soon as Jesus spoke her name,
Mary recognized him.
What do we know about the appearance of Jesus’ body after the
Resurrection?
In his glorified body, Jesus must not have appeared exactly in the same manner
as he had before his Death because his followers did not always recognize him
at first.
When did the disciples on the way to Emmaus recognize Christ?
In the “breaking of the bread.”
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How was the state of Christ’s body different from that of persons he had
raised from the dead?
Those he raised, such as Lazarus, were simply restored to life and would later
die. Christ’s glorified body could never die.
How do we know that the Resurrection is a historical event?
There were many eyewitnesses who were still alive when the Gospel was
preached and written who could have refuted what the Apostles said.
In what sense is the Resurrection a victory?
It shows that Christ’s absolute victory over sin and death has opened up the
gates of Heaven.
5. The Resurrection
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students work with a partner to articulate ways in which Jesus
is different after the Resurrection.
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How many people saw the risen Christ?
According to St. Paul, about five hundred.
What about the Resurrection did no one witness?
No one was an eyewitness of the exact moment when the body of Jesus
came back to life and left the tomb.
5. The Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is our way of knowing the Lord now?
We know him by faith and not by sight: as he said to Thomas, “Blessed
are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
How is Christ more available now than before?
Now that Christ transcends space and time everyone can have an
intimate personal relationship with him. The transcendence of Christ’s
glorified body makes Jesus Christ present everywhere: in the Church, in
the Sacraments, and in the lives of his followers. In Heaven, he is
directly available and on earth can be touched through faith and love.
5. The Resurrection
CLOSURE
Have the students write a paragraph summarizing Christ’s
appearances after his Resurrection.
5. The Resurrection
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Reading
 The Significance of the Resurrection through St. Peter’s
Forgiveness (pp. 151–153)
Study Questions
 Questions 33-41.
 Practical Exercise 4.
Workbook
 Questions 25-29.
5. The Resurrection
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have the students work with a partner to develop an apologetics
for the Resurrection of Christ as a historical event.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
ANTICIPATORY SET
Incorporate into the class’s opening prayer Jesus post-Resurrection
appearance to Peter on Lake Galilee (cf. Jn 21:1–25).
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
BASIC QUESTIONS
 Who has the power to forgive men’s sins?
 How did Christ deal with Peter’s betrayal?
 What is the significance of the Resurrection for us?
KEY IDEAS
 As the first fruit of the Resurrection, Christ gave the Apostles the
power to forgive men’s sins.
 Peter was given forgiveness personally by the Lord and restored to
his place as chief shepherd of his Church.
 The Resurrection gives us the greatest confidence in Christ and all
he taught.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students read 1 Corinthians 15:14–19 (p. 151) and then
free write for a few minutes on whether they agree or disagree
with St. Paul.
Share responses.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the first fruit of the Resurrection?
The forgiveness of sin.
To whom did Jesus give the power to forgive sins?
The Apostles.
When did Jesus give them this power?
In the evening following the Resurrection.
How would the Apostles forgive sins?
They would make a judgment and either forgive or retain the sins.
Is there any sin that cannot be forgiven?
No.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How is the ministry of the forgiveness of sins continued in the
Church today?
Through the Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation.
What is the essence of the good news of the Gospel?
The truth that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
What does St. Paul consider the condition of a Christian if Christ
was not Resurrected?
He considers such a person as the most abject of men.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What does the Resurrection prove about Jesus Christ?
It proves he really is the Son of God and that everything he said can be
trusted.
What should the attitude of the Christian be in light of the
Resurrection of Christ?
It should be one of victory, no matter the circumstances.
Which persons manifest the greatest faith in the Resurrection?
The saints.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What was Peter’s sin?
He had presumptuously declared that he would never betray Christ but
he ended up denying him three times.
How did Jesus lead Peter to repentance and show him he forgave
him?
Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him, and each time Peter said
he did, Christ told Peter to take care of his sheep. This was the same
number of times Peter had denied him.
What did Jesus mean by telling Peter to feed his sheep or lambs?
He meant for him to be the Head of the Church, which meant to love
and serve them.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
GUIDED EXERCISE
Conduct a think/pair/share on the following question:
 Why did Jesus not explicitly mention Peter’s sin or demand
that Peter say he was sorry?
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
CLOSURE
Have the students write a paragraph summarizing the significance of
the Resurrection for us.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Reading
 The Descent of the Holy Spirit through Conclusion
(pp. 154–158)
Study Questions
 Questions 42-47.
 Practical Exercise 1.
Workbook
 Questions 30-31.
6. The Significance of the Resurrection
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Reread the story of the encounter between Mary Magdalene and Christ at
the tomb (cf. Jn 20:11–18).
Put yourself in the place of Mary Magdalene and write a dialogue
between you and the Risen Christ.
What would you say and how do you think he would respond?
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
ANTICIPATORY SET
Incorporate the Ascension into the class’s opening prayer (cf.
Acts 1:1–14).
Then have the students write an answer to what they consider
to be the most important question to ask about this passage.
Share responses.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What is the Ascension?
 What is Pentecost?
KEY IDEAS
 Forty days after his Resurrection, Christ ascended into Heaven where
he assumed the fullness of his glorified divinity and intercedes for us
at the right hand of God.
 At Pentecost, the Apostles and the Church received the gift of the
Holy Spirit, which makes possible the evangelization of the world in
obedience to Christ’s command.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What did Jesus do with his Apostles between the Resurrection and
the Ascension?
He gave them final instructions, confirmed their faith in the Resurrection,
and prepared them to receive the Holy Spirit.
When would the full glorification of Jesus’ body take place?
When he ascended into Heaven.
What does the cloud and being seated at God’s right hand
symbolize?
The irreversible entry of Jesus’ humanity into divine glory.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What does Jesus now “do” in Heaven?
He exercises his priesthood, interceding for us with the Father.
What did the Apostles “do” during the ten day period between the
Ascension and Pentecost?
They prayed, accompanied by the Virgin Mary.
What was the mission Jesus gave the Apostles and the Church?
They were to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole
creation” (Mk 16:15).
When will this task be completed?
When the Gospel has, in fact, been preached to every person.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
GUIDED EXERCISE
Lead a class discussion on what Jesus means when he says that we
Christians are to be the “light of the world.” Some questions that might be
considered are as follows:
 What is the literal light of the world?
 What would it mean to be a figurative light of the world?
 Who are some people who have exemplified being the light of the world?
 Who are some examples of false lights of the world?
 How can we be light for others in our own environment?
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What will the Holy Spirit do for the Church in terms of instruction?
He will teach her members what they need to know and help them
remember everything that Christ told them.
What is the indwelling of the Blessed Trinity?
Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would actually dwell in the souls of those
who had accepted the fruits of the redemption.
Which Person of the Blessed Trinity brings the effects of the
redemption to us?
The Holy Spirit.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why is it to the Apostles’ advantage for Jesus to ascend into
Heaven?
For some reason, which is not explained, the “Counselor” will not come
until Jesus has ascended into Heaven.
What would be the relationship between Christ and the Church on
earth from this point on?
It would be founded on faith, hope, and love, rather than a face-to-face
encounter.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What do we need to be receptive to the Holy Spirit?
We need the proper disposition and prayer. The proper disposition is to
have the desire to live by Christ’s teachings.
What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
They are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, [and] self-control.”
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How did the Apostles and Mary experience the Holy Spirit in
their senses?
They heard a sound from Heaven “like” the rush of a mighty wind
and they saw tongues “as of fire.”
What effect did the Holy Spirit have on their speech?
They began to speak in other tongues.
What immediate effect did the Holy Spirit have on Peter?
Peter’s first sermon led to the conversion of three thousand people.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, piety, fear of the Lord,
and fortitude.
What are the effects of the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
They sanctify the person who receives them by making him attentive
to the voice of God, which makes him love the things of God, and,
consequently, renders him more obedient and docile to the
inspirations of the Holy Spirit.
What is the essence of Christ’s charity?
It is a sacrificial love, especially towards the suffering and poor.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students work with a partner to perform a paragraph shrink on
the paragraph beginning, “Evangelization proved an arduous work . . .”
(p. 158).
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
CLOSURE
Have the students write a paragraph summarizing how the
Ascension and Pentecost related to the redemption of Christ.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Study Questions
 Questions 48-56.
Workbook
 Questions 32-33.
7. The Ascension and Pentecost
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have the students free write for five minutes on something in this lesson
that they found difficult to grasp in order to gain greater understanding.
The End