CHAPTER IV.VII
THE SYMBOLIC BACKDROP OF THE PASSION

   Other symbols, both living and material, surrounded the Cross and received from it their meaning as if from a light. They are tremendously rich and here we can only make a succinct list.

   The Co-Redemptress holds the principal place, in this symbolic backdrop, owing to the fact that she had neither original sin nor actual sins. She is the dove who most perfectly reproduces the innocence of the sacrificial Lamb. She does not suffer the physical Passion, reserved for her son, but the mystical Passion. She is also a representation of the Church, and more than an image since she is its Mother.

   None of those who observed the crucifixion suffered a violent death. Our Lord protected them by taking them unto Himself. It is for this reason that Saint John, the only Apostle present at Calvary, was the only one who did not die a martyr. Jesus substituted himself for man under the strikes of the Rigour of God.

   The Centurion, who was not Jєωιѕн but Roman, was the first to confess the divinity of Jesus: “And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that crying out in this manner he had given up the ghost, said: Indeed this man was the son of God”. (Mark 15:39). The centurion was the first to respond to the Calling of the Gentiles.

   Among the material implements found in the symbolic backdrop of the Cross, the most prestigious is the Crown of Thorns. This crown was that which Our Lord acquired by right of conquest. Is is added to that which was already His birthright as “Son of David”. The Crown of Thorns at Calvary was made of those same thorns that the corruption of Adam had brought to the earth.

   “Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee...” (Genesis 3:18).

   From these thorns of original sin, Jesus acquired a crown and royalty.

   The three nails that fastened Jesus to the Cross were prefigured by the three arrows with which Joab killed Absalom, who was precisely a “Son of David”, but one who had revolted against his father. Our Lord therefore received the three darts intended for a rebellious son. Here again, though innocent, he played the role of Absalom, that of the guilty party.

   As to the five wounds, two to the feet, two to the hands and two to the heart, they were also prefigured in the story of David as the five stones which he had used to kill Goliath. He only used one but would have used all five if necessary. Jesus received all five stones destined for the enemy of the people of God, Goliath, in whose name we find all the letters necessary to form the word “Golgotha”.

   The “Way of the Cross” includes 14 stations on which Christians tirelessly meditate and in which we have been able to see a prophecy of the life of the Church and the tribulations which it endured.

   The seven saying spoken by Jesus and solemnly reported by the Evangelists are by themselves loaded with significance. A great number of commentaries are dedicated to them. It is good to list at least the first words: "Pater [dimitte]", "Mulier", "Hodie", "Eloi", "Sitio", "Consummatum" and "Pater [in manus tuas]".

   The Precious Blood is thus called because it is the currency with which our redemption has been paid.

   The Tomb was that of a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council. It is suitable for this other “rich man” who has just paid such a great ransom. The Manger of Bethlehem, on the contrary was that of a pauper, which suited Baby Jesus who took on the human condition after having enjoyed the divine condition.