Passion Sunday

The Paschal mystery of Christ’s cross and Resurrection stands at the heart of the Gospel. Through the redemptive death of Jesus, God’s saving plan was accomplished once for all. As families pray and reflect together, they can turn to the Scriptures, which show that Christ’s suffering, rejection, and entrance into glory were necessary. The Gospels and other historical sources help faith consider the circumstances of Jesus’ death and the meaning of redemption. Jesus’ words and deeds were a sign of contradiction, especially for some religious authorities, yet his relationships with the Pharisees were not only marked by conflict. He affirmed teachings such as the resurrection of the dead, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, calling God Father, and the central commandment to love God and neighbour.

The Catechism teaches that the Church of Christ is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic—qualities given to her by Christ through the Holy Spirit and essential to her mission. Faith recognizes that these qualities come from God, while the Church’s growth, holiness, fruitfulness, unity, and stability also witness to her divine mission. The Church’s oneness reflects the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and is enriched, not diminished, by the diverse peoples, cultures, gifts, offices, and traditions gathered within the People of God. As we pray and live together, we can remember that the Church’s unity is sustained by charity, the profession of one apostolic faith, the common celebration of worship and the sacraments, and apostolic succession through Holy Orders.