Jesus' death and resurrection are the very center of our faith. The Church calls this the Paschal Mystery: Jesus passing through death to new life.
Holy Week tells the story:
- Palm Sunday: crowds wave palm branches as Jesus enters Jerusalem.
- Holy Thursday: at the Last Supper, Jesus washes His disciples' feet and gives us the Eucharist. Then He prays in the garden of Gethsemane and is arrested.
- Good Friday: Jesus is condemned under Pontius Pilate, carries His cross, is crucified and dies.
- Holy Saturday: Jesus' body lies in the tomb. The world waits in silence.
- Easter Sunday: Jesus rises from the dead!
Why did Jesus die? Out of love, to save us from sin and open the gates of heaven. All of us share in the reason for His suffering because of sin, yet even on the cross Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them.”
On Easter morning, women came to the tomb and found it empty. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, to the apostles and to doubting Thomas. His Resurrection shows that He is truly God's Son, that love is stronger than death, and that He gives us new life.
Forty days later, Jesus ascended into heaven, promising to send the Holy Spirit.