Lately I've been thinking about the crucifix of St. Thomas Aquinas. The ancient crucifix is located in Orvieto, Italy, the Umbrian village where St. Thomas taught and wrote the Summa Contra Gentiles. As he was finishing this most important work, he prayed to Jesus before the Crucifix located in a side altar of the Domenican basilica. He wasn't confident that his work was worth of the Lord, so he was surrendering his soul and his words into the complete care of Christ. In a mystical vision he heard Jesus, through the Crucifix, speak mercifully and lovingly to him, saying:
First, this is a beautiful reflection that really spoke to me. Second I have seen many pictures of this crucifix which I always saw as ugly, and historically inaccurate! I wondered why this church or any church would ever display such a crucifix!!!? But your reflection makes it clear. This crucifix is actually historically accurate, but more importantly it is spiritually accurate. Jesus actually did take upon Himself all our sins, all our sorrow, pains, needs and problems, in short all our sufferings!!!!
First, this is a beautiful reflection that really spoke to me. Second I have seen many pictures of this crucifix which I always saw as ugly, and historically inaccurate! I wondered why this church or any church would ever display such a crucifix!!!? But your reflection makes it clear. This crucifix is actually historically accurate, but more importantly it is spiritually accurate. Jesus actually did take upon Himself all our sins, all our sorrow, pains, needs and problems, in short all our sufferings!!!!