Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Lenten Reading for Wednesday, Fifth Week in Lent
(Picture from the film "Passion of the Christ")
Today's reading is from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 23, verse 33:
The cross has become the symbol of the Christian faith the world over. In the first three centuries of the faith, however, the preferred symbol was the fish (often seen on cars today) or the "good shepherd." Why was the cross not used then? There are many possible reasons. First, it could have been that the crucifixion was not an important event. In the first century of Christianity, many different groups of Christians existed, with many beliefs. Some held, as I do, that the crucifixion/resurrection was not as vital to Christian life as Jesus' teachings themselves. They believed that by following his example and living the life he called us to live, that we save ourselves from sin. He lowered the drawbridge leading to heaven, but he isn't paying your toll.
Another thing to consider is that in the first couple centuries of the Chruch, Christians were still dying by crucifixion on a daily basis. To wear a cross around ones' neck would be incredibly morbid. The cross and crucifix did not become a symbol of the faith till long after the suffering had become a thing of the past. In fact, by the time Jesus' crucifixion had become a subject of art, the very mechanics of crucifixion had been forgotten, which is why we always see the nails and nail marks in Jesus' palms.
Today's reading is from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 23, verse 33:When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one at his right, and the other on his left.There it is, a mere three words, which are one of the two (along with the resurrection) defining moments for most Christians: "...They crucified him..." What would be more physical pain than any of us living could possibly imagine is filed away in only three words. Crucifixion was a long, agonizing death. Often, the person's eyes and tongue were pecked out by carrion birds while the victim was still alive. The weight of one's whole body would be hanging from two nails, driven into the wrists. The cause of death in crucifixion, however, was suffocation. This position of hanging forced the abdominal muscles and the diaphram to support the whole weight of the body. Eventually, as the midsection became fatigued and finally exhausted, the diaphram could no longer lift to inflate the lungs, and the victim would no longer be able to breathe.
The cross has become the symbol of the Christian faith the world over. In the first three centuries of the faith, however, the preferred symbol was the fish (often seen on cars today) or the "good shepherd." Why was the cross not used then? There are many possible reasons. First, it could have been that the crucifixion was not an important event. In the first century of Christianity, many different groups of Christians existed, with many beliefs. Some held, as I do, that the crucifixion/resurrection was not as vital to Christian life as Jesus' teachings themselves. They believed that by following his example and living the life he called us to live, that we save ourselves from sin. He lowered the drawbridge leading to heaven, but he isn't paying your toll.
Another thing to consider is that in the first couple centuries of the Chruch, Christians were still dying by crucifixion on a daily basis. To wear a cross around ones' neck would be incredibly morbid. The cross and crucifix did not become a symbol of the faith till long after the suffering had become a thing of the past. In fact, by the time Jesus' crucifixion had become a subject of art, the very mechanics of crucifixion had been forgotten, which is why we always see the nails and nail marks in Jesus' palms.
