Why do Catholics portray a crucifix
when most Protestants only use a cross? Why do Catholics have images of the
bloody and beaten Christ while Protestants only have images of the risen
Christ? I believe this difference in art between Catholics and Protestants reflects
a difference in theological understanding on both the crucifixion of Christ.
As Catholics we
recognize that we cannot separate Christ into two different persons. Yes we are
an Easter people and Easter is the greatest feast in the Church year but there
is no resurrection without the passion and death of Christ. St. Paul reminds us
that we are heirs to Christ and if we wish to rise with Christ we must first
die with him. He says in his letter to Philemon “That I may know him and the
power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in
his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Phil
3:10-11) Simply put, just as Christ
freely endured His passion and death, we too are called to endure suffering and
death so that we too may rise with Christ.
When we as
Catholics develop this crucifixion mentality presented by St. Paul the problem
of pain and suffering no longer seems like a problem. St. Paul teaches that
suffering came into the world as a result of sin.[1]
God does not stand off in the distance and watch man suffer; rather he enters
into our suffering. Christ experienced the many hardships of man, suffering
with us, even to the point of death on a cross. Christ further invites us to
enter into suffering for our own salvation. Even in the midst of our suffering
Christ is their present with us.
While the cross
may appear to be a moment of weakness for God it is not. A closer look however,
shows us that it was precisely at that moment of greatest physical weakness in
Christ’s life that he transformed into His greatest act of redemptive
suffering. This paradox applies to us as well. Even in our greatest suffering
we have Christ with us who has conquered death. St. Paul reminds us that it is through
our suffering the Christ becomes manifest.[2]
While we may be called to endure many hardships we can have the confidence that
if we enter them with Christ we will be victorious because Christ has already
won the battle through His resurrection from the dead.
St. Paul reminds
us that we are to glory in the cross. “But far be it from me to glory except in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to
me, and I to the world.” (Gal 6:14) When we offer our sufferings up and unite
them to the suffering of Christ on the cross we are blessed to participate in
the crucifixion of Christ and can cooperate with the suffering of Christ for
the salvation of souls. St. Paul is clear “I have been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)
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