Let us remember: when we talk of the rending of the veil…
““Let us remember: when we talk of the rending of the veil we are speaking in a figure, and the thought of it is poetical, almost pleasant; but in actuality there is nothing pleasant about it. In human experience that veil is made of living spiritual tissue; it is composed of the sentient, quivering stuff of which our whole beings consist, and to touch it is to touch us where we feel pain. To tear it away is to injure us, to hurt us and make us bleed. To say otherwise is to make the cross no cross and death no death at all. It is never fun to die. To rip through the dear and tender stuff of which life is made can never be anything but deeply painful. Yet that is what the cross did to Jesus and it is what the cross would do to every man to set him free.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The veil represents our living, sentient nature; tearing it away—like the crucifixion—causes profound pain but ultimately frees us.
In simple terms: Freeing ourselves requires painful transformation.
Key Takeaway
Embrace painful growth for true freedom.
Themes
suffering
redemption
spirituality
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- grief
- personal crisis
- spiritual awakening
- healing
- death
Key Concepts
Christology
theology
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What pain are you avoiding that holds you back?
- How can suffering become a path to freedom?
A Different Perspective
Pain may be overwhelming and can deter seeking truth.