I think God gave each of us the gift of imagination so that we can visualize the angels, the saints, and the Holy Trinity we pray to on a daily basis. Because prayer is intangible, seeing holy images and events will help us grow deeper into the spiritual life.
As a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, I am meant to pray the Rosary at least a few times a week. I must admit, it can be difficult at times. What I do that helps my prayer life is to picture Jesus’ life and immerse myself in the mysteries as if I were truly present the day these events took place. Something that always makes my soul console the heart of Jesus is to visualize the Crucifixion.
Jesus Christ, my God and my Savior, stares deep into my heart with the most loving gaze imaginable and tells me He did this for me. He loves me. But I know that He does this for all of mankind, too. I find it so fascinating that Our Lord Jesus Christ has the capacity and the power to love every being on this earth completely in a unique and special relationship. Furthermore, as I picture Jesus nailed to the cross, I reflect on His seven last words:
“And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46)
Truly, Jesus felt the weight of all the world’s sin on the cross. Since Jesus was human as well as God, He was also able to feel abandonment. Because Jesus felt true human emotions, the God of the universe can relate to us on a human level.
“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Our Lord Jesus Christ’s heart beat with compassion for all of us as our sins crucified Him upon the cross. Jesus longs to have a loving relationship with all human beings, and it hurts Him when we reject Him or become lukewarm in our Catholic faith. We should rejoice at Sacred Scripture knowing Jesus’ mercy is far greater than any sin. No matter what we have done, if we come to Jesus with sincere sorrow for our sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus will forgive us and our once broken relationship with Him will be restored.
“He replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’’’ Luke 23:43)
Love Shown from the Cross
We should be eternally grateful for what Jesus says in Sacred Scripture when He gives the Blessed Virgin Mary to be our Blessed Mother. We are under the care and protection of Our Blessed Mother Mary, who brings our intentions to her Son. We can always trust in the Virgin Mary’s intercession.
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27).
Jesus as the true Savior fulfills all of the Old Testament prophecies. Jesus also shows how He thirsts for souls. He wishes to have a true and personal relationship with each and every one of us.
“After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I thirst.’” (John 19: 28)
The same goes for this verse. Jesus is the true Messiah and fulfills Old Testament prophecies.
“When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’” (John 19:30)
Life-Giving Sacrifice
Jesus gave the most loving and perfect sacrifice to save us from our many sins. This is why we should picture Jesus when we pray. Remember the sacred and scarred hands that bless us with life, a new day, and keep us going, especially when times get tough.
“Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’; and when he had said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46)
Right now, I am praying a novena to Christ Crucified for a loved one for a special intention. By doing this, I am reminded every day how God made man paid the ultimate price by His life, death, and resurrection in order that we might have eternal life. For this, we should be forever grateful and come to know Him to the best of our ability.
2 thoughts on “Picture Jesus Crucified”
Thank you, Diana, for this spiritually enriching article. I really appreciated your focus on utilizing one’s imagination in order to visualize Christ, specifically Christ crucified, to enhance and bolster prayer life and to “console the heart of Jesus” as you state so beautifully. One’s imagination is key to contemplative prayer, and one such praying exercise or practice that your article brought to mind is the prayerful study of Scripture, or Lectio Divina: Lectio (Reading), Meditatio (Meditation), Oratio (Prayer), and Contemplatio (Contemplation). This prayerful practice of divine reading is most definitely fortified by the usage of one’s imagination, and when one applies it to Scripture regarding Christ’s Passion or Crucifixion, he or she is able to more effectively enter into Christ’s experience, so to speak, and accompany and comfort His most Sacred Heart. You have written a timely piece to reflect upon as we soon will be entering into the Liturgical Season of Lent. Thank you, again!
Hello, AW! I am glad that you found my article to be spiritually enriching. Lectio Divina is a beautiful form of prayer and you mentioning it makes me want to add it to my Lenten plans. God bless you. AW! Your comment is much appreciated.