WHERE DOES THE WORD PASCHAL COME FROM?

The word “Paschal” is derived from Greek (pascha) and Hebrew (pesah) words that
mean “to jump” or “to pass over."  Paschal, in Judeo-Christian terms, means pertaining
either to Easter (the Pascha) or to its antecedent, the Hebrew Passover. In the Old
Testament, God’s Passover resulted in the gift of freedom to the Hebrew people from
their Egyptian masters. In the New Testament, the Paschal Mystery is the central tenet
of Christianity that resulted in the salvation of Christ’s followers. It is a single phrase
that encompasses the death, resurrection, ascension, giving of the Holy Spirit, gift of
baptism, the calling of followers from every nation and language, and a repeating
participation in this Mystery at each baptism and through the consuming of Christ’s body
and blood at every Eucharist. In this Christian context, the word “mystery” implies a
divine mystery that cannot be grasped by mere human reasoning, but, by living a life
centered around Christ and His teachings, we can glean some knowledge and
experience of this marvelous paradigm. Each year, all of these concepts become drawn
together at the Great Vigil of Easter which is the most comprehensive and dramatic
liturgy of the Church.

​~Gil Haas