The cruelty of crucifixion

It is uncontested that in the ancient world, the penalty of crucifixion for crimes was the most gruesome, the most lowliest, the most undignified form of execution that the Romans implemented into their code of law. This penalty was so gruesome that the Romans believed that it was unfit for a citizen to be executed by crucifixion. St. Philaret of Chernigov lists the following torments acknowledged by physicians regarding this form of execution:

1. Not one part of our body has more nerves and small veins as the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The slightest injury to even one nerve causes excruciating pain. But when so many nerves and blood vessels were pressed upon, injured, and torn apart by the nails in the most pure hands and feet of the Savior, what awful torment He endured!

2. The unnatural, forced position of a crucified body is, in and of itself, exceedingly painful. The weight of the body hangs on the nailed hands, and the nailed feet cannot relieve it. The pain of the nailed hands and feet does not permit one to make the slightest movement to ease the forced position of the body. The longer one remains in this unnatural position, the more unbearable it becomes, when the weight of the body hanging, from one hour to the next, tears the nerves and increases the sufferings even more.

3. At the same time, the longer the wounds in the hands and feet remain exposed to the air, the more they are inflamed and burn.

4. Finally the blood, with the forced position of the crucified body, when so many nerves and blood vessels have been injured, cannot circulate properly. It rushes to the head, not having free passage either from the right side of the heart, or from the lungs to the left side of the heart, which is already full of blood. From this there occurs a tormenting anguish in the heart and dizziness in the head. (On the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Homily 46)

Referencing Cicero, St. Philaret notes that crucifixion was only appropriate to slaves alone. Prior to crucifixion, the convicted man was typically offered wine mixed with myrrh causing his faculties to be clouded as he would undergo this punishment. This is how Our Lord chose to be killed. He even refused this drink in order to unite Himself to our own sufferings (Mark 15:23). He underwent this torment so that He could lift us up in resurrection! Little did the enemies of the Messiah know, but they were only helping Him complete His earthly mission. It is finished! were His words as He hanged disgraced upon the Tree.

According to the Bl. Jerome, Adam's own skull lie buried at Golgotha where Our Lord was crucified. (Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Book 4) Is such speculation true? How fitting if so! The Tree of Death has been supplanted by the Tree of Life. Indeed, the Tree of Death has become the Tree of Life! Just as night becomes day and day becomes night. Eternal God is dead but is very much Alive and is making Life!

When I was younger, I had to fight every year in order to get everybody to go to the Good Friday service at church. This wasn't a "fun" service for my family because they always said it made them "feel bad". Let me tell you, you cannot have the Resurrection without the Death of Christ. You cannot have Sunday without Friday! You cannot separate these two events from each other and the more you try, the more you join with those who vehemently mock Our Lord as He hangs lifeless on the Cross. As He goes into the tomb. You become like those prophesied about by the Holy Prophet Isaiah,

He was despised and rejected by men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions,

he was bruised for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,

and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:3-5, RSV-CE)

Do you not see by making His death out to be something that makes you "feel bad" that you mitigate Our Lord's Passion? He did it for you. To heal you. This is why the day is called "Good", "Great" even! And yet you cling to a resurrection without a death. What use is resurrection to you then? You cling to a resurrection from what if not a death? It is most difficult for people to overcome this Cross. The Cross is Life to those who truly believe in its power but it is foolishness to Gentiles and a stumbling block to Jews. This is why Great Friday is difficult for some people but a significant joy to others. Though we mourn Our Lord's earthly passing tonight, we eagerly await His Resurrection. For this purpose, He became man. To make man God. To give to man a piece of His own infinite nature. It's Friday. Evil has been allowed to think it has had it's way for now. But Sunday is coming!