THE PASSION

 PASSION IS A TERM APPLIED TO THE STRONG FEELING ABOUT A PERSON OR A THING. AN INTENSE EMOTION COMPELLING FEELING, ENTHUSIASM, OR DESIRE FOR SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. BUT THERE IS ANOTHER MEANING FOR THE WORD PASSION THAT WE SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN. BECAUSE PASSION ORIGINATES FROM THE LATIN WORD PATI, WHICH MEANS TO SUFFER OR ENDURE. WHICH EXPLAINS THE PASSION OF CHRIST. BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, DIDN'T JESUS SUFFER OUT OF LOVE FOR ALL OF US? AND SO IS HE NOT THE ULTIMATE EMBODIMENT OF WHAT PASSION STANDS FOR?

 The events that lead to the arrest of Jesus of Nazareth came to a climax in the garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. It was here where Jesus came with his disciples, the night that followed his Last Supper. And it was here where a large crowd awaited him, soldiers and officials from the chief priests among them. Jesus was brought to the high priest’s palace where he was accused of claiming to be the Son of God, trialed and sentenced to death by crucifixion.

 Several deeds have made the story of Jesus’ conviction more dramatic. There was the triple denial by Peter and the betrayal by Judas. There is also the story of Pontius Pilate, who believed in Jesus’ innocence but still sent him out to be crucified under the pressure of the screaming mob. And by doing so saving the life of Barabbas, the criminal. That same day Jesus was forced to carry his own cross to Golgotha, just outside the walls of Jerusalem. Soldiers wrought a crown of thorns and planted it upon his head, thus mocking Jesus’ claim being the King of Jews.

 Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, under the eyes of the people of Jerusalem, taunting him by demanding God to deliver him and suggesting Jesus to perform a miracle that would safe him. But after a while, when nothing happens, the people return to their city, leaving Jesus on his cross flanked by two criminals who suffered the same fate and accompanied by his mother Mary and one of his disciples, described as ‘the one Jesus loved’ who stayed with him until the end. The next morning, when the soldiers returned in order to break both Jesus’ legs to make hi due faster, they found him already death. till that didn't stop them from mutilating his body by stabbing him with the sword. It is not clear what happened directly after the crucifixion, but we do know that eventually Jesus was taken off the cross, anointed and buried in a new tomb by a man that went by the name of Joseph of Arimathea. Here Jesus stayed three days, until, on that third day God raised him from the death and gave him new life in spirit.

 The Passion, better known as The Passion of Christ, is the accumulation of events before, during and after the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. It is said that Jesus died for the sins of all humankind according to the Scriptures. As a sacrifice to set us free from damnation. The Passion of Christ has been the inspiration for many stories in just as many different forms. Two years ago, photographer Juanky Alonso worked on his own personal interpretation of The Passion, placing the term both in context of Jesus’ last days and the powerful feeling one can have towards another, both emotional and physical. His series was intended as a provocation, placing The Passion of Christ in a more contemporary and sexual light. But before he could publish his Passion in its totality, Juanky Alonso felt appalled to discontinue his work under the pressure of threatening reaction he received from an audience not ready to embrace a vision of Jesus’ last days in a more physical sense.

 Both Juanky Alonso and BeautifulMag hope and trust that now, two years later, we have heard more, seen more and learned more and are ready to look at Juanky Alonso’s vision of The Passion of Christ for what it is. An ultimate ode to the ultimate sacrifice embraced by the physical passion of two men in love. A true liberation of humankind. –BM-