Why do Catholics keep Jesus crucified on the cross?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CONVERT
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
www.letgodbetrue.com/todaysworld/passion.htm

The above web site will annoy most of you, so be prepared. It is mainly about the Passion and why some extreme fundamentalist do not believe that you should see the movie. If you scroll down, you will find a couple of entries about the crucifix. The enteries fit some fundamentalists view on crucifixes. I say some because I don’t think that even most fundamentalist are this extreme.
 
Jesus reigns from the Cross. Fundamentalists who make this objection don’t have an adequate understanding of the Cross as the act by which Jesus conquered death.

Edwin
 
Catholic Tom:
then why do some catholic churches have a Risen welcoming Jesus in the center of the Church, rather than a crucified one?
Click to expand...
While some Churches have the RISEN CHRIST displayed, they MUST PROCESS in at the start of Mass with the Crucifix as the Crucifix MUST be displayed prominently during the Mass.

I’ve visited a lot of Churches and I stay away from those who do NOT display the Crucifix as a part of their normal Church setting.

Blessings,
Joanie
 
“If I be lifted up (on the cross) I will draw all men unto me.” St. John

“No greater love has anyone than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” St. John

“I am determined to preach Christ and Him crucified the hope of glory.” St. Paul

Read St. Athanasios’ “Divine Dilemma”.

Protestants belie their prejudice with their name. In order to justify the continued schism they must find an alternative way of propogating themselves. They naturally must oppose all things Apostolic and Catholic. Hence in their mindlessness must constantly condemn the truth.

Dan Lauffer
 
Convert,

We must remember, that prior to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, it was only three days away from His ultimate sacrifice at Calvary.

There would have been no resurrection without Calvary. No pain–no gain! And the Crucifix is a reminder of our dear Lord’s love for us.

Pio
 
40.png
CONVERT:
IThe crucifix IS the epitome of love. We must always remember God didn’t simply forgive our sins although He could have, He sacrificed Himself and willingly suffered for us…denying Himself for love of us and we are called to do the same. Jesus showed us we can trust God even when we are called to suffer in our walk with God…pick up our cross, deny our will and live in obedience to the will of God.
Click to expand...
You might also point out that it was enough for Paul-1 Cor 2:2
“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
 
40.png
GodBlessJoanie:
Catholic Tom:
then why do some catholic churches have a Risen welcoming Jesus in the center of the Church, rather than a crucified one?
Click to expand...
While some Churches have the RISEN CHRIST displayed, they MUST PROCESS in at the start of Mass with the Crucifix as the Crucifix MUST be displayed prominently during the Mass.
Click to expand...
I’ve visited a lot of Churches and I stay away from those who do NOT display the Crucifix as a part of their normal Church setting.

Blessings,
Joanie

My Parish has a resurrected Lord floating up to heaven.

holyangelsbasehor.org/view.htm

Thanks to this website (catholic.com not the one above), I’ve been paying attention and noticed that during mass the processional crucifix is not placed near the alter prominently but put away in the Sacresty (I think that is the name for the little room on the St Joseph side of the alter). This photo in the link must be rather old as they do have the processional crucifix on one side of the alter with the tabernacle on the other. the way it is at Mass the Tabernacle is centered under the Jesus. (sheesh) Like I already said the processional cross is put away during Mass.

Hmm, now I’ve got to research if it is permissable to have a tabernacle that can be moved around. I always thought it was supposed to be permanently fixed so as to prevent any desecrations.

I’ll add that to my list of grievances. Fr Al is in for it when I get it all worded properly with GIRM & CCC references to back up my concerns.

Mike
 
As a non-Catholic, I can honestly say that I think both the protestant “empty cross” and the catholic “cross with the body” both have their merits.

The “empty” cross of the protestants highlights the resurrection, and the defeat of death by Jesus Christ.

The catholic cross with the body encourages us never to forget the bodily sacrifice of our Lord.

Can’t argue with either one.
 
I have had non-Catholics ask me that question also in the past. I love the crucified Christ because it makes me know what he did for us. I see nothing wrong with the risen Christ though and more and more of those are seen in Catholic churches and hospitals. To me, those that don’t like the crucified Christ don’t want to face what He did for us in the way He did. It is too easy to ignore the ugly things in life even though they are reality!
 
40.png
geezerbob:
Protestants are usually very big on salvation. Remind them that salvation occurred when Jesus took the sins of the world on Himself and died. If they want a symbol of the resurrecton, why not an empty tomb rather than an empty cross. After all, Jesus’ body was removed from the cross by people who placed Him in the tomb. Nothing unusual or miraculous about that.
Click to expand...
Well if there is nothing unusual or miraculous about people placing someone in a tomb there certainly is nothing miraculous about someone being executed.
 
This Methodist has a crucifix in my home. I know that Jesus has risen ( praise God!), but I also know that He suffered & died for me. To me, the crucifix is the ultimate answer to why I try to serve the Lord to the best of my ability…He did that for me! He did it for you!..He even did it for people who reject the crucifix…
I could care less what some website’s snarling at the crucifix, & the Passion. I am busy caring about the Lord who was hung on that cross because of my sins…
 
Sounds great to me. It kinda reminds me of this poster my favorite teacher has: along the top it says “God’s Gym” Then it has a picture of Jesus doing a (quite labored) push-up with a cross on His back, engraved with “The Sin of the World.” Then, on the bottom, it says, “Benchpress this!”. I always liked that. The kind of sacrifice that I see in Jesus on the cross makes me remember that the small sacrafices I make are really kinda small, so I had better bear them as best I can.

Eamon
 
My favorite answer is that I love the Crucifx because every time I look at it I see again what my sins cost Our Lord and it makes me not wanna do it any more.
 
40.png
masondoggy:
I honestly think most protestants take issue with the crucifix simply because it’s a “Catholic” thing. They want to eliminate anything that could possibly be connected with Catholicism.
Click to expand...

IMO, the reason may be quite simply the unfamiliarity of the Crucifix.​

Catholicism can seem so very alien to what one is used to - simply because it is not familiar. Which may be one reason that some say Catholicism is “not Christian” - it is not Christian in a way that is familiar to them; so, they can have difficulty understanding how something so alien is recognisably the same religion as theirs.

IOW, the difficulty is probably cultural, more than anything else ##
 
Vincent said:
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24).
Click to expand...

And a little further, 1 Corinthians 2, 2: For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
 
I think what you say is real good. Here is some of the way I look at Christ crucified. I think the cross shows the exact moment that Christ is dying and when he finishes the work he has come to do to save us from the world the flesh and the devil. He breathes his last breath out upon us. This breath is the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. This breath is re-presented at Mass when the priest says: “…Spirit come upon these gifts and make them holy that they may become the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” So looking at the crucified Christ on the cross I am looking at the very center of all of Life and all of mystery.
 
40.png
CONVERT:
I have been asked this question a few times since my conversion…please help me with how I should be responding to this question. My reply has been:

The crucifix IS the epitome of love. We must always remember God didn’t simply forgive our sins although He could have, He sacrificed Himself and willingly suffered for us…denying Himself for love of us and we are called to do the same. Jesus showed us we can trust God even when we are called to suffer in our walk with God…pick up our cross, deny our will and live in obedience to the will of God.

Sometimes I elaborate more, but this is the gist.

What do you think?
Click to expand...
i think it’s a great response. God Bless you, convert!
 
40.png
GodBlessJoanie:
While some Churches have the RISEN CHRIST displayed, they MUST PROCESS in at the start of Mass with the Crucifix as the Crucifix MUST be displayed prominently during the Mass.
Click to expand...
i’ve gone to a church with a free-hanging cross. one one side is the Crucified Christ, and on the other is the Resurrected Christ.
 
Convert, your explanation is very good. Through the crucifix, God allows us to live in His glory. What better way is there to remind us of that event?

Dobbs
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top