598. In her Magisterial teaching of the faith and in the witness of her saints, the Church has never forgotten that “sinners were the authors and the ministers of all the sufferings that the divine Redeemer endured.”389 Taking into account the fact that our sins affect Christ himself,390 The Church does not hesitate to impute to Christians the gravest responsibility for the torments inflicted upon Jesus, a responsibility with which they have all too often burdened the Jews alone:
We must regard as guilty all those who continue to relapse into their sins. Since our sins made the Lord Christ suffer the torment of the cross, those who plunge themselves into disorders and crimes crucify the Son of God anew in their hearts (for he is in them) and hold him up to contempt. and it can be seen that our crime in this case is greater in us than in the Jews. As for them, according to the witness of the Apostle, “None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” We, however, profess to know him. and when we deny him by our deeds, we in some way seem to lay violent hands on him.391
Nor did demons crucify him; it is you who have crucified him and crucify him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.392
Aprofunde seus conhecimentos
458. What are the duties that society has toward the family?
269. Who can receive this sacrament?
467. Why is the legitimate defense of persons and of society not opposed to this norm?
170. What is the bond that exists between the Catholic Church and non-Christian religions?
474. What duty do we have toward our body?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What is the importance of gratitude and recognition according to the book of Proverbs?
Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Lessons from the Meeting of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 33:1-20)
How does Esther’s story tell the Jewish people’s story of redemption?
What is the example of faith that the poor widow gives us in Luke 21:1-4?
What is the importance of gratitude in the Christian life, according to the first letter to Timothy?
