An ancient hymn on the crucifixion. -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 08:37:24 02/22/08 Fri
Author: j.jackson
Subject: An ancient hymn on the crucifixion.
In reply to: CS Holden 's message, "Card on Lambs" on 14:19:01 02/21/08 Thu

You'll simply note the awe at which the hymnographer imagines God offering himself to humanity and then offering a newly-sanctified humanity (the souls in hell) back to himself. The only "appeasement" is that body and soul has been united again, and we witness the possibility of a beatific life realized. God empties himself unto humanity so that we might be rescued. There's no sense of "exchange" here. There is no divine wrath but simply naked violence perpetrated by a demonic world that visits such cruelty on the Creator--and upon a willing humanity. God's "wrath" is not appeased here; his love pours forth over Creation and rescues it. The fight isn't against humans; it's against Satan, and we are his victims, and God is our rescuer. We were created to live a beatific existence at the foundation of the world, and God's plans will not be subverted.

Anyway, I thought you'd be interested in seeing a hymn that is focused on the cross but not in propitiatory sacrifice.

Today He who hung the earth upon the waters
is hung on the tree
The King of angels
is decked with a crown of thorns
He who wraps the heavens in clouds
is wrapped in the purple of mockery
He who freed Adam in the Jordan
is slapped on the face
The Bridegroom of the Church
is affixed to the cross with nails
The son of the virgin
is pierced by the spear
We worship Thy passion O Christ
We worship Thy passion O Christ
We worship Thy passion O Christ
Show us also the glorious resurrection

They have stripped me of my garments
and clothed me in a scarlet robe
They have set upon my head
a crown of thorns
And have given me
a reed in my right hand
That I might dash them in pieces
like potter's vessel
Today hell cries out groaning
I should not have accepted the man born of Mary
He came and destroyed my power
He shattered the gates of brass
as God he raised the souls that I had held captive
Glory to thy cross and resurrection O Lord

Today hell cries out groaning
my dominion has been shattered
I received a mortal man as one of the dead
but against Him I could not prevail
from eternity I had ruled the dead
but behold He raises all
because of Him do I perish
Glory to thy cross and resurrection O Lord

Today hell cries out groaning
my power has been trampled upon
the shepherd is crucified and Adam is raised
I have been deprived of those whom I ruled
those whom I swallowed in my strength I have given up
He who was crucified has emptied the tombs
the power of death has been vanquished
Glory to thy cross and resurrection O Lord

Christ Is Risen from the dead
trampling down death by death
and upon those in the tombs
bestowing life.

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