[Askel5]

I searched but hadn't seen this posted yet. If so, sorry ... perhaps you'll know the article to which it should be linked?

[Between the Lines]

Other symbolism not mentioned above:

Upright and crossbeam of Jesus' Cross are fastened with three bolts, arranged in a triangle ~ Trinity

During the flagellation, one of Jesus' ribs is exposed ~ New Adam.

Table Jesus built~ Altar (could this also be the same table the office-in-charge at the flogging sat at?)

[Dajjal]

Very nice list.

Bumpus ad summum

[NYer]

Thanks for posting this thread! Here's a Q & A that has always intrigued me. It is addressed in A Guide to the Passion,

Q: In the scene in which Jesus saves the woman caught in adultery from being stoned, we see Him writing in the sand. What is the significance of this act?

The scene is taken directly from the New Testament (John 8:3-11). Some theologians and biblical scholars have speculated that Jesus was perhaps writing down the sins of the men who were about to stone her. Others note that Jesus' action recalls the One who gave the Law in the first place on Mount Sinai, for Exodus describes the Ten Commandments (including "You shall not commit adultery") being written in stone by the "finger of God". Therefore it is fitting that the One who gave the Law, now grants mercy. At any rate, it is from this incident we get the challenging words, "Let him who is without sin ... be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7).

[AnAmericanMother]

Thanks for the very interesting thoughts on symbolism.

When Jesus looked up at the dove, I immediately thought of his Baptism by John and the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove . . .

Did anybody else notice the huge double take Pilate and his servant gave when Pilate spoke to Jesus in Aramaic and Jesus responded in beautiful Latin? ("What is this Galilean peasant doing talking like Cicero?") But of course God would speak perfect Latin . . . wouldn't He?

[Jaded]

Awesome post. Thanks.

[Coleus]

I miss your threads and am glad you are posting again.

[Romulus]

I might add that the whole "come to dinner" theme re-presents in a general sense the Church's eschatological prayer, "maranatha", and in particular Mary's prayer at Cana (Mary at that point constituting in her person the whole Church in union with Christ) that launches her son's public life. Prophetically calling her son to dinner, she calls for more than she knows.

The mopping up of blood has already been commented upon, but I wonder how it's received by Jews who're conscious of the squads of Israeli rabbis whose ministry it is to collect the body parts of those killed in terror bombings.

The film takes great pains to show the blood of Jesus covering a great many people, from Our Lady right down to the Roman torturers, plainly a message that his sacrifice is intended for all.

Speaking of universality, recall the shot of the Golgotha scene from above, in which the camera pans past the Cross while the background swirls by in the opposite direction. This is a visual presentation of the saying "stat crux dum volvitur orbis" (the Cross stands fixed while the earth turns): it illustrates the literal centrality of the crucifixion (not just the Event, but the transcendent Truth made manifest in the Event), its nature as sole fixed reference point in the universe. We know where we are and what we are, if in fact we're anywhere or anything at all, only by reference to the unchanging center where we find the crucified Logos who alone imparts meaning and order to the world. Seen this way, Jesus's judgeship over all souls is far more than a juridical event; it's existential because it's only by reference to him that we know what we are. Appalled and speechless in the presence of the crucifixion, we realise that we cannot judge it because it judges us.

The script has the soldiers, preparing to raise the cross, calling out "Sursum!" which of course evokes the "Sursum corda" from the Mass.

Also, about the scourging scene: I've not yet noticed any comment about the X-shaped welts on the back of the Christ, subliminally conveying the monogram for Cristos.

[dansangel]

This is excellent - a lot of it parallels the discussion we had at our own church this past Sunday. Thank you for bringing it to us.

.45MAN - thanks for the ping.

[Aquinasfan]

The Truth found Judas even though he had denied Him and tried to hide from Him.

Makes sense. Great post.

[topcat54]

From Mom's Trad-Cath email lists | Legionaries

Are "Traditional Catholic" and "Roman Catholic" synonyms?

[ex-Texan]

*BUMP*!

[ninenot]

Good stuff!

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Fantastic. The single best post on The Passion that I have read I am certain. Bravo!

Also of note is Christ's image in blood on the girl's towel that tends to Him.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Facinating Read Ping.

Normally I don't ping, but for this I made an exception.

[Dialup Llama]

See the movie again and watch John and Mary Magdelene before and during the crucifixion. There's alot going on there, very subtle acting. At the cross, John and Mary both get a revelation about who Jesus is and his mission.

Mary Magdelene sees that when the Romans turned over the cross, Jesus held himself off the ground in order to keep the prophecy true which says the Messiah will not have any broken bones. Mary realizes that Jesus has direct control over the forces of nature. When Jesus is lifted up she covers her head, just as she would in the courtyard of the Temple before the Holy of Holies which is the presence of God. Mary realizes that Jesus is God just as he told Caiaphas.

On the way to the crucifixion, John looks sad, angry and disappointed in this apparently tragic and meaningless end. Then John flashes back to the Last Supper where Jesus said "This is my body, broken for you. This is my blood, poured out for you." John looks at Jesus on the cross and his eyes fill with tears of joy and he understands what Jesus' mission was and the purpose of the cricifixion.

[Humal]

Thank you for posting this. It answers many questions I had about some of the symbolism in the movie.

[livius]

Thanks for posting this. I've seen the movie three times so far, and still I find that there were some things that I missed. It's like looking at a medieval (or even later) religious painting - stuffed with so much symbolism that it takes a long time for the viewer to notice it all.

[tang-soo]

The opening scene shows Christ praying at the stone while satan is tempting him.

While Christ says Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. (different wording), Christ pauses for a brief moment between the two phrases.

During this time, the camera is fixed on satan's face. Satan shows no expression except an ever so slight raising of an eyebrow (ok the eyebrows were shaved). I took this to mean he had a glimmer of hope when Christ was asking if he could avoid the wrath. Praise God he didn't!

[Lady In Blue]

Bumping for a later read. Thanks! I loved this film.I've seen it twice already.