The Mystery of the
Death and Resurrection of Jesus

in a Scene of the Passion Façade of the Sagrada Familia Church

In the Passion façade, the scene of the flagellation of Jesus is full of the symbolism of the resurrection and of the new heaven and the new earth which gran2.jpg (58079 bytes)Jesus inaugurates with his victory over sin and death.

Jesus is embracing the column, symbolizing with this that his saving passion on our behalf is voluntary:

"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from the Father" (Jn 10,17-18a).

Behind the column there is the Alpha and the Omega, which symbolize Jesus: beginning and end of all things.

The column has a displaced block that wants to symbolize two things:

1. After the third block, the fourth is displaced: "On the third day he rose from the dead". It represents, therefore, the displaced stone at the entrance of the sepulchre: The resurrection.

2. At the same time, it is a stone that is out of place; it has been displaced. With this the sculptor wants to symbolize this precarious world of death, of sin and lies, which with the resurrection of Christ has been overcome, displaced in a definite way: Jesus rises not to die again. With His death he has overcome death and has given us eternal life.

We recall these impressive words from the book of Revelation:

llagrima.jpg (37369 bytes)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, ... and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away".

And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end." (Revelation 21,1a.3-6a)

 

Happy Easter and ...

 

 

smile2.jpg (28844 bytes) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4,4-7).

Complete guide to the history and Christian symbolism