The Paschal Mystery of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection is central to the Gospels. It is what the Apostles proclaimed and what the Church, following their example, must continue to proclaim to the world. God’s plan of salvation is eternally fulfilled through the saving death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Death of Jesus as a Historical Reality
The Church affirms the historical reality of Jesus’ death by explicitly mentioning Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, in the Creed. The Gospels depict the Jews as playing a significant role in Jesus’ death, driven by envy and fear. Pilate, portrayed as innocent and somewhat helpless in the accounts, succumbed to the pressure of the crowd.
Pontius Pilate, the fifth Roman governor of Judea (A.D. 26–36), resided in Caesarea and Jerusalem. His most detailed portrayal in the Gospels revolves around Jesus’ trial and crucifixion (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18:28–19:42). Pilate appeared reluctant to condemn Jesus but ultimately yielded to the crowd’s demands (Luke 23:20–23). He was later deposed by the Roman legate Vitellius in A.D. 36.
Through the Creed, we proclaim, “He suffered, died, was crucified, and was buried,” affirming God’s plan of salvation. Jesus’ Passion, crucifixion, and resurrection remain the core of the Apostles’ message and the Church’s proclamation. By prioritizing these Paschal mysteries in her liturgy, the Church acknowledges the messianic mystery as the foundation of salvation and glory.
The Father’s Will
Jesus’ self-giving sacrifice on the cross, though deemed foolishness by the world, fulfilled the Father’s plan of salvation. His suffering, death, and resurrection revealed God’s love and mercy, transforming suffering into the path to salvation (Luke 24:26–27). The cross, a symbol of suffering, becomes the key to experiencing salvation. Jesus, through his complete surrender to the Father’s will, serves as our model for embracing the path of sacrifice.
The Gospels also reveal the complexities of Jesus’ trial. While Judas, the Sanhedrin, and Pilate bore personal responsibility, the guilt cannot be ascribed to all Jews in Jerusalem, nor to Jews across history. Propaganda, mob influence, and ignorance played a role, as Jesus himself recognized, forgiving them from the cross. Peter continued this message of repentance and forgiveness after Pentecost.
As the Church declared in the Second Vatican Council, the statement “His blood be on us and on our children” cannot justify extending blame to Jews of other times and places. Instead, Christ’s conformity to humanity culminated in his descent into Hades, a profound expression of his solidarity with all humanity. This descent introduces the proclamation of his resurrection, in which Christ, the source of life, conquers death and the devil (Hebrews 2:15). The risen Christ holds the keys of death and hell (Revelation 1:18).
The Unique Sacrifice of Christ
Christ, the divine person who embraces all humanity, became the head of the entire human race and offered the sacrifice of redemption for all. The Council of Trent emphasizes the singular nature of his sacrifice, declaring that his Passion on the Cross obtained our justification. The Church venerates the Cross, singing, “Reign, O Cross, our only hope.”
Our Participation in Jesus’ Sacrifice
The Cross represents Christ’s unique and perfect sacrifice, as the “one mediator between God and men.” Yet, because of his unity with humanity in his divine person, all are given the opportunity to partake in the Paschal Mystery in a way known only to God. Jesus calls his disciples to follow him by taking up their own crosses, participating in his redemptive work.
Rev. Dr. James Puliurumpil
