Madam, - Vincent Browne (Opinion, March 16th) asks if there is something baleful about the emphasis on the passion in the Christian religion and questions what the emphasis on suffering has done to the Christian psyche.
Yet his own column adds to the distortion of emphasis, as did Mel Gibson's film a year ago. Both have highlighted the passion story to the point of isolating it from its context. They play down two of the three inseparable events that we are about to celebrate in the Christian calendar - namely the institution of the Eucharist on the eve of the Passion, and the Resurrection on the third day.
At the Last Supper, Christ bent down and washed the feet of each of his disciples. It was only then that he said, "Take and eat" and, finally, "Do this in memory of me". Through two millenniums, this practical lesson has prompted among Christians attitudes of service, sharing and concern for those around us who are suffering.
On the third day, the women who approached the tomb went through a roller-coaster of emotions. But quickly they realised that everything was changed now. They could face anything. They would never forget those words: He is risen! The Christian calling is to be people of hope, not people obsessed with suffering. Christian communities are called upon every day to create hope for others in meaningful, practical, supportive ways. The ultimate Christian hope is that death itself has been overcome, leading to happiness that will last forever. The resurrection of Christ is the source of this hope. - Yours, etc.,
ISABELLE SMYTH, Rosemount Terrace, Booterstown, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Regrettably, Vincent Browne has read rather too much of The Da Vinci Code and rather too little of authentic Christian theology.
It is the belief of Christians that human beings, by the deliberate misuse of freedom, rendered themselves incapable of achieving true and permanent happiness without an act of intervention by God. That act is the Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ, whose life, relationships and self-sacrifice are both the model for all Christians and the inspiration of Christian social commitment.
This may be difficult for Mr Browne to understand and still more difficult for him to accept. He would not be the first to reject what Christianity proposes and he is free to do so. However, he is neither qualified in scriptural exegesis nor Christian anthropology, and if he is going to write articles about religion for The Irish Times, he might work a little harder on research. - Yours, etc.,
Dr ORLA HALPENNY, Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14.