What Jesus saw from the Cross

by A. G. Sertillanges

Overview

What Jesus Saw from the Cross is a deeply meditative and spiritually profound work that invites readers into the inner experience of Christ during His Passion. Written by French Dominican priest Antonin Sertillanges, the book blends historical insight, theological reflection, and imaginative contemplation to reconstruct the view from the cross—both physically and spiritually. Sertillanges vividly explores what Jesus would have seen: the city of Jerusalem, the Roman soldiers, the mocking crowds, the grieving loved ones, and, ultimately, the fallen world He came to redeem.

More than a devotional text, What Jesus Saw from the Cross is a study in divine compassion and redemptive suffering. Sertillanges uses the Passion narrative to highlight themes such as forgiveness, human frailty, and the triumph of love over hatred. With scholarly rigor and poetic depth, he invites the reader not only to observe the crucifixion but to enter into its meaning from Christ's perspective—emphasizing interior transformation and personal identification with the suffering Savior.

Since its publication, the book has been widely acclaimed for its unique approach to meditating on the Passion of Christ. Its blend of emotional intimacy and theological depth has made it a beloved spiritual classic. The enduring power of What Jesus Saw from the Cross lies in its ability to guide readers toward a deeper understanding of sacrificial love and to inspire a more intimate relationship with Christ, even amidst the trials of everyday life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9786558948605
Publisher:	Lebooks Editora
Publication date:	08/04/2025
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	115
File size:	405 KB

About the Author

Antonin Sertillanges was a French Catholic priest, philosopher, and Dominican friar, renowned for his contributions to Thomistic philosophy and for his widely influential work on intellectual life. Deeply rooted in the tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas, Sertillanges sought to reconcile faith and reason, offering guidance not only on abstract metaphysical questions but also on the practical conduct of a life devoted to study and contemplation.

Sertillanges is best known for his book The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods (1921), a practical and spiritual guide for scholars, students, and thinkers seeking to live a life dedicated to truth. The work emphasizes discipline, humility, and the integration of intellectual pursuits with a life of virtue and faith. In clear and elegant prose, Sertillanges lays out the moral and spiritual prerequisites of the scholar's vocation, stressing that intellectual work should not be separated from the pursuit of holiness and the love of God.

Sertillanges played a crucial role in the Catholic intellectual revival of the early 20th century. His accessible and profound treatment of intellectual life influenced not only theologians and philosophers but also artists, writers, and lay readers seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship between thought and spiritual life. The Intellectual Life became a classic, translated into several languages and widely read across both religious and secular communities.

While he remained faithful to the scholastic tradition, Sertillanges was attuned to the challenges of modernity. His work provided a bridge between medieval thought and contemporary concerns, offering a model of intellectual engagement grounded in discipline, clarity, and moral responsibility. He encouraged thinkers to cultivate silence, focus, and integrity in their pursuit of knowledge—virtues that remain strikingly relevant in today's distracted and fragmented world.