Lesson 14: Christ’s Redemptive Death and Resurrection
1. Why had the gates of heaven been closed?
The gates of heaven were closed because of original sin, and the many other sins of mankind that followed.
2. Why did the Son of God suffer and die on the cross?
Jesus suffered and died so that our sins could be forgiven; and so that we could reach heaven. Only at his death and resurrection were the gates of heaven opened.
3. Did my sins cause the sufferings of Jesus, or was it just sin in general?
My sins caused the sufferings of Jesus.
“Since our sins made the Lord Christ suffer the torment of the cross, those who plunge themselves into disorders and crimes crucify the Son of God anew in their hearts (for He is in them) and hold Him up to contempt.” (CCC, 598)
4.Did Jesus know who I am and died for me?
Yes, when Jesus died on the cross, He know me, and He died for love of me.
“The Son of God loved me, and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
5. Did Mary participate with Jesu sin the work of our redemption?
Yes, according to Second Vatican Council: “In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith hope and burning charity in the Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a Mother to us in the order of Grace.” (The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. Lumen Gentium, chapter 8. The whole of chapter 8 speaks about Mary.)
6. What do we learn from the sufferings and death of Christ?
From the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ;
-We learn about the great evil of sin, which caused the death of the Son of God.
-We learn about the infinite love and mercy of God, who was willing to die for our sins.
-We have in Jesus an example of how we should suffer: with love, hope, patience, mercy for those who hurt us, and obedience.
7. What is the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus called?
The passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus is called the paschal mystery.
Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
St Francis of Assisi was the son of a wealthy man. Francis loved nice clothes and parties. He also had a very good heart. He often gave money or food to the poor. In 1204 he went off on a beautiful horse with very nice clothes to be a knight. He saw another knight who did not have such expensive things. Francis gave him his beautiful cloak. The following night he had a dream. In the dream a voice asked him:
-Francis where are you going?
-I am going to Apulia to be a knight.
-Tell Me, from who can you expect most, the Master or the servant?
-From the Master of course.
-Then why follow the servant, instead of the Master on whom he depends?
– Lord, what would you have me do?
-Return to your country. There it shall be revealed to you what you are to do, and you will come to understand the meaning of this vision.”
Having returned to Assisi Francis spent more time in prayer to find out God’s will. Francis continued to give money to the poor. One day he saw a leper. Before this he had always asked other people to hand them money. Thie wounds gave off a horrible smell, and there was the possibility of getting their disease. This day he heard a voice, “If you wish to be a soldier of Christ you must conquer yourself.” He got off his horse, gave the leper some money, and then hugged him. After he began to walk away, he looked back, but the leper had disappeared. It was really Jesus. After this Francis began to find great joy in helping lepers.
One day as he knelt before the crucifix in a Church, Jesus on the Cross spoke to him. Jesus told him: “Go, Francis, and repair my house.” When Francis heard these words the Holy Spirit entered more deeply into his soul, making his oul more like Our Lord. His heart and soul were filled with a deep love for Christ. After this whenever he thought about the wounds of Jesus he would weep. HE wept because Our Lord was not loved. So great was his love for Jesus that Francis was constantly thinking about Jesus, constantly listening to Him, and lovingly speaking to Him. He spent hours in prayer. In prayer God changed his heart. His heart became more and more like Jesus.
Because Jesu, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, had come down from heaven to live in poverty and humility; Francis also wanted to live in poverty and humility. He gave everything that he had, even the clothes he was wearing ack to his father. He did not want people to think he was important. Because Jesus was kind to the poor, Francis helped the poor. Because Jesus wanted all to come to heaven, Francis prayed and made many sacrifices for the conversion of sinners. He preached to everyone of the love of God and the need to be sorry for our sins.
Two years before he died, because Francis was so much like Jesus, God imprinted upon the body of Francis the wounds of Jesus in his hands, feet, and side. These wounds are called the stigmata.
He had a very holy death. At his death he began to sing hymns of praise to God. May larks appeared as well. They began to sing. People were not sure whether they were singing for joy or for sorrow. When he died, a holy Friar saw his soul as bright as the sun go directly to heaven. There in heaven God granted to him a very great glory, for “whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” To the praise and glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
