The crucifix at Melide (was no subject)

[Michael P. Barham]

I can't speak spanish well, but I understood the woman to be saying that
there were three things symbolized:

1) the dual nature of Christ as Divine (hand reaching upward) and human
(hand reaching to earth).
2) Christ helping us on our pilgrimage, which is difficult, just as
Christians are called to the way of the cross, along which Christ helps us
3) the saving work of Christ, who, in dying on the cross, enabled us go into
a deeper relationship with God, so Christ as bridge (just like we had just
crossed over a bridge, I think she said in her little introduction).

At least those are the three thins I thought she was saying.

I think I planned on going back to get a picture later that evening, but
then was too tired after I stopped walking.

San Juan de la Cruz, very influential in Spain, suggested that everyone
meditate on the cross, and for his monastery wanted everyone to have one, a
picture which he drew hangs in a museum for St. Teresa of Avila in Avila --
I saw the original, and it was an inspiration for Dali's Christ of St. Jn of
the Cross, which is a modern favorite.  I have a print of both hanging next
to each other in my private space in my dorm.

It does indicate that the artist understood something deeper in the cross
than many of us think, and I wonder if s/he spent a lot of time meditating
on the cross intently.

Michael B





----- Original Message -----
From: Jeffrey Crawley <jt.crawleyaUKONLINE.CO.UK>
To: <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 4:17 AM
Subject: The crucifix at Melide (was no subject)


> Greetings Michael,
>
> The church is just over the bridge on the right on the way into Mellide.
>
> When I got there a lady from the Tourism Office was inside stamping
> credenciales.  She told us that this crucifix was unique in that Jesus is
> traditionally portrayed with both hands nailed to the cross.
>
> This one, with Him hanging from one hand, is supposed to show Him in the
> act of being taken down from the cross after His death and symbolises Him
> nearing the end of His suffering/journey and us (the perigrinos) nearing
> the end of our pilgramage.
>
> I didn't take a photo because I didn't feel able to capture the full
impact
> on film but since then I have constantly wondered who the artist was and
> how did he learn so much about pain and suffering?


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