Passion^*

The Passion is the technical term for the suffering and Agony of Jesus that led directly to the Crucifixion, a central Christian event. The "Passion narratives" tell this story in the Gospels. The etymological origins of this meaning of the word lie in the Latin passio that first appears in the 2nd century, precisely to describe the travails and suffering of Jesus in this present context. All the other meanings of "passion" have been derived from this one.

"Passion" narratives

The canonical narratives of the Passion are found in the synoptic gospels and in the Gospel of John.

Further details concerning the Passion are revealed in some non-canonical early writings. A more detailed account of what transpired between Christ's death on the Cross and the Resurrection is in the Gospel of Peter, which was declared to be apt to lead readers into Docetism and was not accepted into the canon.

Instruments of the Passion

In Christian symbolism the Instruments of the Passion are the objects associated with the Passion Crucifixion.

Each of the Instruments have become an object of veneration among Christians, pictured in icons and allegedly recovered as relics.

The Instruments of the Passion:

• The Pillar or column where Jesus was whipped, in the episode of the Flagellation.
• The Whips that were used.
• The Crown of Thorns.
• The Cross on which he was crucified. See also the True Cross.
• The Titulus Crucis, attached to the Cross, inscribed "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum"
• The Nails, inflicting four wounds.
• The Holy Lance by which a Roman soldier inflicted the final of Five Wounds in the side.
• The Holy Grail, the Chalice that caught his blood.
• The Holy Sponge dipped in vinegar and gall.

Several holy textiles were involved and have had careers as relics: Veronica's Veil, the Robe, and the burial cloths represented by the Shroud of Turin.

The Holy Dice used by the soldiers to cast lots for the Robe are to be found in several locations.

Stations of the Cross

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Passion story is depicted in the Stations of the Cross (via crucis, also translated more literally as "Way of the Cross").

^*Read more (Wikipedia)

Two Thousand Years Later (The Passion Of The Christ)^*

The Passion of The Christ has caused a lot of discussions. Some people accuse the film to be anti-Semitic or that it has the potential to incite hatred and violence towards Jews. Other people object mainly to Mel Gibson’s gruesome depiction of Jesus Christ’s last 12 hours on earth in his latest film: The Passion Of The Christ. Though these are of importance, we should not allow Christ’s main message to drown and be set aside in favor of our discussions of religion, politics, film-comparisons, film-critiques and censorship. We should take this opportunity to remember what it was that Jesus Christ died for. Perhaps we can re-think and re-learn the message He may have been trying to tell us two thousand years ago.

^*Read more (by Marquez Comelab)

The Passion of the Christ: Who Really Killed Jesus?^*

Imagine that a very kind father has a beloved son—his firstborn. Now, some criminals in a far away land have committed an offence deserving of death. This good man purposely sends his son to die for these criminals so that they would be saved. When his beloved son arrives, one of his friends takes money from some of these condemned criminals who had trumped up charges against the son. They take the son to their king, who instead of freeing him, hand him over to the hangman to be executed.

Now, who really caused the death of this son? Is the father not guilty of first-degree murder or at lest manslaughter? Can the son not be charged for second-degree suicide? Is the son's friend who betrayed him to blame. What about the criminals who framed up the charges against the son? Or is the king who played safe to be held accountable? Or do we blame the executioner who finished the dastardly act?

^*Read more (by Arthur Zulu)

The Point of the Passion^*

This film is not anti-Semitic. It’s true that a small number of Jewish High Priests were partly responsible for Jesus’ sentencing, as are the Roman authorities. But that small number of Jewish High Priests was alive 2,000 years ago and has nothing, I repeat, nothing to do with the Jews of today, or even the Jews of 1,000 years ago or even 50 years ago. Humanity and its sinful nature is responsible for Christ’s suffering and death. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

This film is violent. It is reality. How are people expecting Christ’s crucifixion to be portrayed? Do they think it was a walk in the park, something any human being could endure? I urge people not to leave but to stay through the whole film. Do not turn your eyes away from the screen each time Jesus’ back is slashed by the Roman whips. Do not turn your eyes away each time a nail pierces his skin. I challenge you to watch as each drop of his blood splatters on the ground. That blood you see was indeed shed for each and every one of us. Look deep into his eyes and feel, through his pain, the tremendous love Christ felt for us. I challenge academia to stop analyzing every detail of the film; stop picking apart the political, religious, and even racial “facts” of this film and start focusing on the beauty of the Passion itself, the reason why it occurred in the first place. For someone to go through what Christ went through and still have the strength to love us, the passion to die for our sins, is quite remarkable. The depth of His love for us knows no bounds, and I think His Passion is proof of that.

^*Read more (by Kathy Simcox)