The Paschal Mystery: From Discernment to Action

During this Easter season, we have rejoiced in the risen Lord with the hearts of children—excited in the beauty of the moment. As we continue during this period between the Resurrection and Pentecost, our hearts begin to mimic the apostles, “Wait, Lord! Where are you going? What am I supposed to do now?!” As young adults coming into roles of responsibility within the church, we can learn much from the actions of the apostles as they mature from learners of the Word into active representatives of the Body of Christ.

Acts 1:3-5 Wait! We need you!

“He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Can you imagine how your head would be spinning if you were an apostle? Your beloved teacher, after transforming your life, has suffered and died. You felt empty, until you realized that He conquered death itself, and now you can’t even begin to guess what will happen next. All you know is that you are part of it and you cannot turn back. You have to trust your teacher over all reason.

So it is as we begin to hear God’s calling in our lives. We grow in knowledge and insight through prayer until a former part of ourselves—whether selfishness, past pride, old habits, and the like—begins to die and we struggle to transform our lives. We mourn our past until we realize the potential of our future in this new life in Christ. In doing so, we realize that we have no idea what is next, but it is too late to turn back. The call is irrevocable.

Acts 1:9-11 Why are you still looking up?!

“When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Once again, imagine yourself as the apostle during the Ascension. Instead of appreciating the weight of what is happening, perhaps you’d be in shock, saying: “He’s really leaving us. We’re really alone now.” The apostles want to keep their vision on Christ as long as they can, clinging to the comfort His leadership has provided them. The Men of Galilee must snap them back into reality.

After we have heard the call of our lives, we too stand in shock looking up. “What am I supposed to do now?!” “Wait, can you tell me again just to make sure I heard you correctly?” We question ourselves, and can even feel like God has disappeared. The more we pray for God to heal a part of the world that we have been enlightened to see, the more we realize that God has one response: “That’s what I created you for! Why are you looking up at the sky? I now reside in your own hands and heart.” We can no longer look up, but must look around to see Christ’s presence throughout our world.

1:13-14 “I’ll do this, but you better come back!”

“When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying…All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.”

After seeing your teacher literally become one with the sky, as an apostle you would need to take a step back. The apostles knew they did not yet have the power for their mission. They needed to empty their hearts and continue to let go of their individual selves to become unified in the community and receive their help—the Spirit.

We too must continue to reflect and pray, staying close to the source of our call. We must continue to empty ourselves, creating room for God to work within our hearts and readying ourselves for the day when it comes time to fulfill the call.

2:1-4 “Let’s roll!”

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.”

Despite the weeks of preparation, the spirit came “suddenly” to the apostles. As an apostle, you are praying and waiting, and then before you know it, you are ready to act. The anxiety and trepidation is replaced with a simple trust. You are not alone, and you know it; you feel it.

What does the fire of the Holy Spirit look like today? Luckily, most of us don’t start speaking in tongues in the middle of a city street. We still feel the very same fire, however. We feel a pull to act, and we do so before we remember all the reasons we should hesitate. We experience true humility, knowing that God acts within us, and through the Spirit, we become capable.

No matter what, we cannot get caught in any one of these phases of the Paschal Mystery. We cannot keep listening to the lessons without acting. We cannot cling to Christ, asking to tell us just one more time the lessons He has for us. We cannot wait in the upper room with fear and trembling, claiming that we have not yet received the Spirit needed to fulfill our callings. We must go forth with the courage of the disciples, acting out God’s will to the best of our ability. We cannot rely not on our own self, but must remain confident in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within our lives. We are now the living Body of Christ on Earth. How are you called to let others know the Good News?

Megan Sherrier

(Megan is a 2007 CoC alumna and a graduate from University of Richmond. She is currently a graduate student at CTU, Chicago)                                                              

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