"The White Crucifixion"

by Dr. Larry Fraher, Ph.D.  |  04/01/2023  |  Images of Faith

As Catholics we are abundantly familiar with images of the Crucifixion. We wear them on necklaces, hang them on our walls, and reverence them in our churches. The image of Christ crucified is one of the most sacred that we have, for it is the pinnacle of our faith. God, who has become one with us, now shares in our ultimate destiny, death, so that this destiny may be changed and the Divine nature of Christ becomes our new destiny in and through His resurrection.

Marc Chagall’s painting, The White Crucifixion (oil on canvas, 154.6 × 140 cm, Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago, 1938), presents a unique Truth about the Crucifixion of Jesus. The image invites us into deep reflections on our relationships with others in this modern age, and whether we are able to see Christ among particular groups in our world.

Chagall, himself a Jew, painted the image from a Jewish perspective. The crucified Jesus is central in the image. Originating from the center-right of the painting, a beam of Divine light streams down, illuminating the cross. Viewers immediately notice the crucified Christ, His loin cloth is a prayer shawl, and the crown of thorns replaced with a headpiece. At the base of the cross a candelabra burns, the light being cast reminiscent of a host. Surrounding the crucifixion are images of the Twentieth Century persecution of Jewish people throughout Europe, from Russian pogroms on the left, to Nazi atrocities on the right. At the top of the page the Jewish Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, along with Sarah, mourn the events taking place.

Chagall’s intention was to portray persecution, particularly of the Jewish people, and in many ways, to remind us who are Christian of the fact that our Savior, himself, was the victim of persecution that led to His martyrdom. The statement is profound. Are we willing to accept what responsibility is ours for evil in our world, or do we turn a pious and blind eye? Chagall challenged Christians and all human beings toward the compassion and grace of the belief that Christ embraced all, and as a Jew, held up a mirror within a Christian world inviting people to see what was happening.

Pope Francis has stated that this is one of his favorite images of the Crucifixion (Chicago Tribune, 10/25/2015). What the image presents is Christ who has embraced every nation, race, and people, especially those who are suffering. Chagall painted a Christ who dies for all; even, in this case, the Jewish people. As our world today encounters the challenges of the past few weeks, reflecting on this image invites us to reflect on our attitudes toward others? Who might I hold some prejudice toward; a racial group; people in certain economic realities (wealth or poverty); individuals (possibly within my family) who have made lifestyle choices that I don’t agree with; people who hold political views different than my own? On this Palm Sunday, how am I called to show forth God’s embrace of all people in my life and witness to the saving and life-giving action of Christ?

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