Does the paschal mystery have to do with renewal and rebirth? The short answer is yes, very much so. The word paschal has to do with “passing over”, as in the Hebrews passing over from slavery in Egypt, through the desert, and into the promised land. Hence, the Hebrews experienced renewal in terms of who they were before God and rebirth, no longer Hebrews, they would be called Israel. However, this paschal imagery calls for more as it takes on cosmic relevance when we consider Jesus “passing over” from death to resurrection.
Jesus, the son of Mary and son of God, unites humanity and divinity. This takes place at the birth of the child and becomes permanent when the loving mission of God in Jesus is ultimately defined by death and resurrection. All of humanity, all of creation “passes over” and becomes a New Creation. In each of us, this is already given. We have passed from the time before Jesus to the after Jesus, we are nothing less than a new creation. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we take personal ownership of this identity. Step by step until that final step is taken that takes us to life eternal.
It is with this disposition that we enter the season of Lent. It is a holy desire to not allow ourselves to be scandalized by our humanity; rather embrace it fully. One moment of prayer at a time, one moment of fasting at a time, one moment of charity at a time. And then, it will be Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. After forty days, we enter into communion with the Lord, and the gift of eternity he bestowed is renewed and we can claim a rebirth.
The journey is filled with nothing less than awe and life-giving and not easy. We may need to let go of useless stuff. After all, what do we really need to reach the end of the journey?
Father Francisco Gómez, S.T.