Crown of Thorns

Humans are a very unique species. There are no other known species in the world, even the universe, that can compare to the complexity of this race. Humans were created with reason and logic, something no other species has. Yet, we have faith in things that may seem irrational. There are many things people have faith in, for example: a sea being split in half, bread just forming in the middle of a desert, and even a man raising himself from the dead. Reason can be a great ally to faith at times,…

I look around. The town is quiet, the streets are empty. I look around. Creation is still. The trees do not move, the birds do not sing. A dirty grey rests on the sky above. I stand at the bottom of the battered hill called Golgotha. Distant groans of a man on the hill echo over the heavy silence. He has been deeply disturbing me. The sound he makes is grotesque and unrelenting; the soldiers must be giving Him some extra punishment. He has been making the noise since early morning. I am…

After being convicted and sentenced to crucifixion Jesus was scourged. In the act of scourging, one is struck with a leather multi-thong whip to cause serious pain and deep gashes. He was mocked for stating he was “king” and had a crown of thorns forced upon his head where it pierced through his scalp. Through all the pain he already suffered he became too weak to carry the cross upon his back and received assistance from Simon of Cyrene where they continued their journey to the Hill of…

agonized in the garden for three hours and it was not witnessed by a lot of people but it has been mentioned in the gospels that came afterwards. He was tortured and mocked by the temple servants and he was hurt with sharp blows and there was a crown of thorns on his head. This was done by the roman ruler, so that the Jews will be satisfied by seeing him in such pain. He suffered all of this because he was a prophet of God and a true believer who was not afraid of these worldly punishments, and…

unable to communicate his opinions towards his tyrannical, traditionalistic figure. The foreshadowing of continuing a dreary life, impacts Neil as he decides the only way to regain control of his life is to take his own. The symbolism of wearing a crown of thorns allude to the notion of…

The road was curvy and smooth but, every mile, every second felt like an eternity. The smell of grass filled my nose. I was in a basketball shirt and shoes with khakis going to say a good-bye. My breaths got quicker and shakier, my body turned ice cold and tingly. The car turned into the driveway of a large brick building—my eyesight went dizzy, no more feeling in my legs, I felt like my stomach was in my throat. The day just got hotter and hotter. My feet hit the pavement my body was moving…

what? For who? It seemed absurd. What had he done? In his eyes I saw no imperfection, no flaw. I only saw pure Love: Love so grand it felt like my insides would shatter. As he turned back to his journey up Calvary, I heard the cries of hate from the crown around us. It seemed the crowd had multiplied immensely. I had never felt so alone. Turning back, I saw the thief who had rode with me. His face was hardened. He looked throughout the crowd, nodding as they spat Jesus and cursed him. Reaching…

Louise Erdrich’s novel, Love Medicine is a fusion of Catholicism and Ojibwe beliefs. Both played a central role in the life of the author. The status of Catholicism is apparent, nevertheless, she possesses first-hand knowledge of Ojibwe culture as a recognized member of the tribe. As a product of an interracial partnership, Erdrich embraces and respects both cultures, accordingly, this can also be said about many of the main characters. Having done some research on the author’s background, I…

birth to this child in the Gulf and I presented him to the people. His name is Handala and he has promised the people that he will remain true to himself. I drew him as a child who is not beautiful; his hair is like the hair of a hedgehog who uses his thorns as a weapon. Handala is not a fat, happy, relaxed, or pampered child. He is barefooted like the refugee camp children, and he is an icon that protects me from making mistakes. Even though he is rough, he smells of amber. His hands are…

In Dante’s Inferno, Dante Alighieri writes himself as a traveler who is traversing through the realm of the underworld with the Roman poet Vergil as his guide. In documenting his journey, Dante continually references and encounters both fictional characters and historic figures from the Greek, Roman and Catholic canon. In doing so, he brings the characters and figures back to life, allowing him to rewrite them in his own context and perspective. By reviving these characters and melding the…