40. Were Passions Part of the Human Nature of Christ?
It is proper of human nature to have passions such as love, joy, and sorrow. Jesus Christ—being human like us—also had human passions, although, properly speaking, he did not have any defects. These are consequences of original sin, which Jesus did not have. Thus, passions were not disordered in Jesus Christ but were always subject to reason.
25. Christ’s Sufferings
Because of his human nature, Jesus Christ could suffer (de fide).
The Magisterium of the Church unanimously teaches that “the Word of God suffered in his flesh and was crucified in his flesh and experienced death in the flesh.”1 All the symbols of the faith also teach that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross.
Sacred Scripture narrates that Jesus Christ felt hungry, was sleepy, and tired; he was maltreated; he suffered and died.
In answer to the erroneous doctrine of docetism, the Fathers of the Church preached that Christ really and truly suffered.
Christ freely accepted some natural defects that were derived from his human nature. They were not punishments, for Jesus had not incurred original sin. Jesus Christ freely accepted suffering in order to atone for our sins, manifest his true human nature, and set an example for us.
These defects in the human nature of Christ are not contrary to his human perfection, since he freely assumed them out of love for us and in accord with the ends of the Incarnation. He did not in any way assume defects opposed to the perfection of his knowledge and his grace (such as ignorance, inclination toward evil, and difficulty in doing the good).
26. Christ’s Feelings
The soul of Christ experienced human sentiments (sent. certa).
Sacred Scripture attests that the Lord had a fully human and complete psychic life, including emotions: “Jesus looking upon him loved him” (Mk 10:21); “He began to be sorrowful and troubled” (Mt 26:37); “And he looked around at them with anger” (Mk 3:5); “For your sake I am glad” (Jn 11:15). Jesus also wept on several occasions, such as over the coming destruction of Jerusalem (cf. Lk 19:41–44), and before the tomb of Lazarus (cf. Jn 11:35).
The Fathers of the Church called the passions of Christ protopassions, or the beginning of passions, since the passions of Christ do not indicate disorder in him but are always directed toward the good.
Speculatively speaking, it is logical that Jesus’ soul should suffer the pains of his body, since the soul is man’s substantial form. But, it is also perfectly fitting that Jesus’ passions be always perfectly controlled by reason and directed toward the good.
Moreover, since the sensible affections pertain to the perfection of human nature, Jesus Christ, as perfect man, ought to possess them in their most perfect form. The great value of his sufferings during the Passion was derived from this perfection.
Footnote:
1. DS 263; cf. CCC, 554, 555, 572, 601, 609, 618, 649.
25. Christ’s Sufferings
Because of his human nature, Jesus Christ could suffer (de fide).
The Magisterium of the Church unanimously teaches that “the Word of God suffered in his flesh and was crucified in his flesh and experienced death in the flesh.”1 All the symbols of the faith also teach that Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross.
Sacred Scripture narrates that Jesus Christ felt hungry, was sleepy, and tired; he was maltreated; he suffered and died.
In answer to the erroneous doctrine of docetism, the Fathers of the Church preached that Christ really and truly suffered.
Christ freely accepted some natural defects that were derived from his human nature. They were not punishments, for Jesus had not incurred original sin. Jesus Christ freely accepted suffering in order to atone for our sins, manifest his true human nature, and set an example for us.
These defects in the human nature of Christ are not contrary to his human perfection, since he freely assumed them out of love for us and in accord with the ends of the Incarnation. He did not in any way assume defects opposed to the perfection of his knowledge and his grace (such as ignorance, inclination toward evil, and difficulty in doing the good).
26. Christ’s Feelings
The soul of Christ experienced human sentiments (sent. certa).
Sacred Scripture attests that the Lord had a fully human and complete psychic life, including emotions: “Jesus looking upon him loved him” (Mk 10:21); “He began to be sorrowful and troubled” (Mt 26:37); “And he looked around at them with anger” (Mk 3:5); “For your sake I am glad” (Jn 11:15). Jesus also wept on several occasions, such as over the coming destruction of Jerusalem (cf. Lk 19:41–44), and before the tomb of Lazarus (cf. Jn 11:35).
The Fathers of the Church called the passions of Christ protopassions, or the beginning of passions, since the passions of Christ do not indicate disorder in him but are always directed toward the good.
Speculatively speaking, it is logical that Jesus’ soul should suffer the pains of his body, since the soul is man’s substantial form. But, it is also perfectly fitting that Jesus’ passions be always perfectly controlled by reason and directed toward the good.
Moreover, since the sensible affections pertain to the perfection of human nature, Jesus Christ, as perfect man, ought to possess them in their most perfect form. The great value of his sufferings during the Passion was derived from this perfection.
Footnote:
1. DS 263; cf. CCC, 554, 555, 572, 601, 609, 618, 649.