Crucifixion and/or Resurrection?

ejp123 · #1 Jul 3, '12, 3:59 pm

In my experience it seems that the church focuses more on the crucifixion of Christ and less on the resurrection. Just wondering if this is true or if it is a misperception on my part.

When I think of the crucifixion it seems dark and heavy to me. However, I do realize that it is an act of love at its best. When I think about the resurrection it is hopeful and blissful.

Elizium23 · #2 Jul 3, '12, 4:42 pm

The Church focuses on the Crucifixion for two days of the liturgical calendar (Palm Sunday and Good Friday) and focuses on the Resurrection for seven weeks of Easter, plus every Sunday of the year.

How did you come to the conclusion that we focus more on the Crucifixion?

Kingtroll1 · #3 Jul 3, '12, 5:14 pm

The crucifixion of Jesus is not only a public shaming and status degradation that he took in the sinners place. But the separation from god his father(spiritual death) and separation from his body(physical death) such darkness signify his bearing all the sins of the world. However the resurrection is so because christ is sinless and because of this we will rise as well from the dead.

Dorothy · #4 Jul 3, '12, 5:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejp123

In my experience it seems that the church focuses more on the crucifixion of Christ and less on the resurrection. Just wondering if this is true or if it is a misperception on my part.

When I think of the crucifixion it seems dark and heavy to me. However, I do realize that it is an act of love at its best. When I think about the resurrection it is hopeful and blissful.

Every time we receive the Eucharist we receive the Risen Christ. We celebrate Mass on the day that Jesus rose from the dead.

We focus on the cross also, because it reminds us that we are still dying to self, and it helps us to remember what Jesus did out of love for us. Our life here on earth has many crosses, but they are only temporary. Without the cross there is no resurrection.

meltzerboy · #5 Jul 3, '12, 5:18 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejp123

In my experience it seems that the church focuses more on the crucifixion of Christ and less on the resurrection. Just wondering if this is true or if it is a misperception on my part.

When I think of the crucifixion it seems dark and heavy to me. However, I do realize that it is an act of love at its best. When I think about the resurrection it is hopeful and blissful.

Your thinking may be influenced by, according to my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong), the Catholic crucifix which contains the body of Jesus as compared to the Protestant cross which does not. The latter focuses on the resurrection, while the former points to the suffering of Jesus. Obviously, however, both Catholics and Protestants realize that the crucifixion and the resurrection are interconnected.

**po18guy** · #6 Jul 3, '12, 6:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltzerboy

Your thinking may be influenced by, according to my understanding (please correct me if I'm wrong), the Catholic crucifix which contains the body of Jesus as compared to the Protestant cross which does not. The latter focuses on the resurrection, while the former points to the suffering of Jesus. Obviously, however, both Catholics and Protestants realize that the crucifixion and the resurrection are interconnected.

A quick study, you are! The corpus on the Catholic/Orthodox/Lutheran/Anglican cross is at least partially inspired by Saint Paul, who determined to know nothing, other than Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2, Galtians 3:1).

patrick457 · #7 Jul 5, '12, 2:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejp123

In my experience it seems that the church focuses more on the crucifixion of Christ and less on the resurrection. Just wondering if this is true or if it is a misperception on my part.

When I think of the crucifixion it seems dark and heavy to me. However, I do realize that it is an act of love at its best. When I think about the resurrection it is hopeful and blissful.

It's kinda true that the Latin Church has this focus on the 'suffering' aspect of Jesus' Passion more than the Eastern Churches (which generally focus on the glorious, triumphal part of it), mostly for historical (read: war and plague) and theological reasons (i.e. the different views on Atonement). This is why devotions like the Stations of the Cross developed in the West and the reason why we have crucifixes which show a visibly suffering Jesus in the first place.

fred conty · #8 Jul 5, '12, 7:57 pm

Blessed Mother Teresa once said something to this effect, that we only have this life to bear the cross but all eternity to share in the resurrection.

And according to the catholic faith, the saints in heaven cannot suffer for those in purgatory or on earth, but only the faithful on earth can do this. This is vicarious suffering accepted to pay for restitution due to sin and so that others may receive grace.

The church in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory make up one body of Christ.
St. Paul says that when he suffers he is making up what is lacking to the body of Christ.

Just a thought.