Mystagogy - a step into the Paschal Mystery

What would we do if it wasn’t for Christ’s Passion that opened a door to his Father through his Holy Spirit?

The Church was made manifest to the world on the day of Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit ushers in a new era in the “dispensation of the mystery” - the age of the Church, during which Christ manifests, makes present, and communicates his work of salvation through the liturgy of his Church, “until he comes.” In this age of the Church Christ now lives and acts in and with his Church, in a new way appropriate to this new age. He acts through the sacraments in what the common Tradition of the East and West calls “the sacramental economy”; this is the communication (or “dispensation” ) of the fruits of Christ’s Paschal mystery in the celebration of the Church’s sacramental liturgy. (CCC 1076).

Just what can we expect from the glorious event of receiving sacraments and becoming one with Christ in his Church? This Vigil of Easter became my entrance into what so many Catholics already share with each other and the Lord Jesus Christ who is my teacher, my friend, and my God. Is there anything else I may explore that will enhance this evening of new life that God has allowed my whole being to become a child of his through the Truth?

Now, we have discovered a New Way that always has been an arms reach away and never realized what we were missing. Our acceptance of entering the Catholic Church became a walk on the path that follows Christ. But what do we do now with this new approach to Spirituality once reserved to angels and saints? Let us see!

After the candidates of our RCIA attendees were now baptized, confirmed, and were consumed with the grace of the Consecrated Body and Blood of Christ, they were now ready to advance to the reality of what each of us are consecrated for; This is Mystagogy, a term that reaches within our ability to learn what these sacraments are really about.

Our weekend began on Friday evening with a scripture reading, a short exhortation on sacraments and a restful night. Saturday was divided into three sessions explaining the essence of each sacrament of the Church and an opportunity to share with each other their feelings and the vision of what this will mean to them as new Catholic members. We ended the evening with one of our priests coming to be with us and celebrating the Holy Mass.

Mystagogy, an in-depth instruction of what they have received, how the Church sees them as God’s elect, and how God awaits each one’s evangelizing effort to proclaim the kingdom of God.

Baptism; the opportunity to become one with the flock that has the knowledge of a God who wants to become one with us and us with him. It is real as Jesus spoke to his Father with these words; “And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me.” (Jn 17: 22 -23). This is more than words of obedience but a time of adoption to a God who loves us.

Confirmation: A promise to try to become what the Sacraments allow us to be, as purveyors of the word of God that his Church will continue growing in value and not necessarily numbers without purpose. Sacraments are not degrees of accomplishment, rather a sign of Christ with us that requires dedication and accountability.

The Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ who is the very center of our Baptism and all that we are invited to share with him now become the essence of who he is, where he is in our personal lives, and the words we want to hear; “Well done, good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come; share your master’s joy.” (Mt 25: 23.

This is Mystagogy!

Ralph B. Hathaway