Author Topic: Christ climbed a ladder to get on the Cross? (Read 1244 times)

PerEvangelicaDicta · « **on:** April 06, 2015, 01:22:12 PM »

Where/when did this originate?
Someone told me that their priest (Novus Ordo), during Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, read a meditation that described how Jesus climbed a ladder up the Cross, then turned around to be nailed on the Cross, assisted by the soldiers.

I tried searching this a bit, but struck out. Anyone familiar with this 'theory'?

AlanF · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2015, 02:02:30 PM »

I've never heard of this. I've read a few meditations on Our Lord's crucifixion and they've all said He was nailed to the cross on the ground, it was then raised and dropped into an hole prepared for it, and that dropping the cross into the hole would've caused Our Lord's arms to dislocate from His shoulders making it impossible for Him to breathe without pushing Himself up and down with his legs. This would have caused intense pain in His torn back flesh rubbing against the cross and in His feet with His weight being on the nails; it would also have been an huge drain on His energy.

Charlemagne · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2015, 02:07:22 PM »

If a Novus Ordite said it supposedly, enough has already been said.

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2015, 02:42:57 PM »

I am generally not in the business of defending the novus ordo, but since you were told a Novus Ordo priest said this and didn't actually hear him say it, you should chalk it up to your friend just getting the story wrong.

:cheers:

Malleus · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2015, 10:58:18 PM »

Why don't you just tell your friend to ask the president of the assembly for the source.

Problem solved.

PerEvangelicaDicta · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2015, 12:02:52 AM »

He didn't get the story wrong. He said the priest was reading a version of Stations that specifically described Christ climbing up a ladder to be crucified, assisted by the soldiers, and further described that He turned around at the top of the ladder, offering Himself to be nailed. Afterward the priest was hearing confessions so he was unable to get the source at that time.
I'll keep researching.

(That's a tortuous visual and rich meditation AlanF)

Malleus · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2015, 01:10:50 AM »

Quote from: PerEvangelicaDicta

He didn't get the story wrong. He said the priest was reading a version of Stations that specifically described Christ climbing up a ladder to be crucified, assisted by the soldiers, and further described that He turned around at the top of the ladder, offering Himself to be nailed. Afterward the priest was hearing confessions so he was unable to get the source at that time.
I'll keep researching.

(That's a tortuous visual and rich meditation AlanF)

Can your friend no longer see the President in person to ask him for the version of the Stations?

PerEvangelicaDicta · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2015, 01:28:52 AM »

Not a friend, but a person I met at an Easter brunch. Long story how the subject arose, but he was puzzled about it and wanted to discuss with the priest but did not have the opportunity.

poche · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2015, 10:56:46 PM »

The reference to the ladder could be a reference to the ladder in the dream of Jacob. IN the Book of Genesis Jacob dreamed about a ladder between Heaven and Earth with angels ascending and descending. In this case the Ladder is a prefiguration of Jesus and the mystery of our redemptioin on the Cross. Jesus died on the Cross to save us from our sins. Prior to the coming of Jesus the gates of Heaven were closed to us due to original sin. By his death on the the cross Jesus climbed that ladder so that Heaven could be opennede to us.

MrYeZe · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2015, 02:43:28 AM »

I can't imagine this being true, just from a purely logical standpoint. The Romans didn't put people they crucified on the cross, but instead gave them a ladder and expected them to voluntarily climb up it and put their hands and feet in the right positions? No, that's just stupid in every way.

Quasimodo · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2015, 09:41:15 AM »

They would have needed a scaffold if this were the case. Or at least several ladders. It doesn't seem likely they would have gone out of their way to find the most difficult way to fasten Him to the Cross.

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2015, 10:01:16 AM »

It just occurred to me that if there is any reference to Our Lord climbing a ladder, it may just be an allusion or allegory to the Crucifixion being willing by God.