Relic

per fr. Barnes

First Class
- part of the Saint's body
- there is nothing of the Lord
  - but things w/ his blood stains
  - might be called "relics of the passion"
Second Class
- associated with the life of a Saint, or

physical reminders of holiness > touching the cloak of Jesus healed people Acts: being in the shadow of Peter healed somebody

serve as memories, like a family heirloom

largest collections of relics are in Jerusalem and Rome,

Scourging of the Lord

per Jn: was in the praetorium

the pillar was kept, now in Rome

2-1/2-3 ft tall (65 cm)
marble
- possibly from Egypt, which would have symbolism
- not certain but if true, slavery to sin
the pillar was to keep prisoners upright, tied to the top
- to inflict maximum punishment
possible that Caiphus scourged him a second time
- ambiguous, "beaten"
- but there was another pillar thought to exist from Caiaphus
- at Church of Holy Spec... ?

Pilate knew he was not a criminal, that he was innocent
but wanted to appease the crowd, so ordered the scourging
- so was a political act
- wanted to maintain his authority
- so split the difference
- but it only increased the crowd's bloodlust
the beating itself was cruel
- could kill people
evidence shows his flesh was torn head to toe
- the rods were covered with ___ to would catch his skin and flesh
this is the most gruesome and disfiguring part of the Passion
- loss of blood greatest at scourging
- crucifixion was designed to kill people slowly
- death was by ultimate asphyxiation not blood loss
Pope Benedict
- the point of the scourging was to make the flesh hang down
Stations of the Cross
- his weakened state, unable to carry the cross
the Lord did not resist any of these punishments
- Isa 52 ... "so marred was his look beyond human semblance"
- by those stripes we were healed
- lamb led to the slaughter
- he was silent << didn't resist
- << the prophesy came true
violence against the innocent not uncommon
JPII said "Oh my jesus, how cruelly bound you were to the pillar..
- penalty for our sins