DAPPLED THINGS ON SCRIPTURE AND A SHARING IN THE CRUCIFIXION: “One of the often-remarked-upon features of Latin Christianity is our focus upon the Cross, the sufferings of Christ, and our own sharing in those sufferings. One can also see this in Luther’s theology of the cross. There is a counter-current, though, that dismisses this ‘crucicentrism’ as Mediaeval mumbo-jumbo, poor self-image, sublimated masochism, and a faulty understanding of the importance of the Resurrection (‘We’re Easter people,’ and all that). These criticisms have been lobbed unfairly at the Mel Gibson film, as well (which is no surprise, inasmuch as his movie is completely in line with traditional Catholic meditation upon the Passion and Cross of Christ). So, seeing as how we’re at the beginning of Holy Week, I thought I’d offer some scriptural touchstones that will show the centrality of the Cross in the life of the Christian and of the Christian’s participation in the dying of Christ. For the time being, I have no intention of developing these texts, simply of citing them.”

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