Dear Matthew,
Let me first preface with the comment that the Father was not human so He couldn't have felt pain while Jesus was human (a man like us in all things but sin.) That said, we have a new tool that helps us answer your questions: Magisterium AI.
Magisterium AI replied:
The question of whether God the Father felt any emotional pain during the crucifixion is not explicitly addressed in the provided references. However, the references do shed light on the nature of God's response to human suffering and His love for us.
In the General Audience of May 1st 2019, Pope Francis emphasized that even in the most awful moments of our lives, God is watching and fighting alongside us. He is our comfort at the time of trial, and He will never abandon us (General Audience of May 1st 2019). This shows that God is not indifferent to our suffering but is intimately present with us in our pain.
Furthermore, in the General Audience of April 8 2020, Pope Francis reflects on the true face of God as revealed in the crucifixion of Jesus. He explains that God is different from how we often project onto Him, and we can come to know Him by looking at Jesus on the Cross. It is on the Cross that we learn the features of God's face, and we see His boundless love and forgiveness (General Audience of April 8 2020). This highlights the deep compassion and care that God has for us, even in the midst of suffering.
While the references do not directly address whether God the Father felt emotional pain during the crucifixion, they emphasize God's presence, love, and compassion in our suffering. It is important to remember that the mystery of the Trinity teaches us that God is one in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is fully God and shares in the divine nature. Therefore, while we may not have explicit information about the emotional experience of God the Father during the crucifixion, we can trust in the love and care of the Triune God for us.
In conclusion, the references do not provide a conclusive answer to whether God the Father felt emotional pain during the crucifixion. However, they emphasize God's presence, love, and compassion in our suffering, showing that He is not indifferent to our pain. The mystery of the Trinity teaches us that God is one in three persons, and each person of the Trinity shares in the divine nature. Therefore, we can trust in the love and care of the Triune God, even when we experience great suffering (General Audience of May 1st 2019, General Audience of April 8 2020)
References:
- General Audience of May 1st 2019
- General Audience of April 8 2020
I hope this helps,
Mike
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