Divine Drama

For the fifth year in a row, farm worker Saul Aguilar swapped his jeans and T-shirt for a white robe and red sash, provoking jeers from spear-wielding soldiers and anguished cries of sympathy from thousands of onlookers.

But despite punishing heat and the burden of shouldering a nearly 100-pound cross, Aguilar said portraying Jesus Christ on Good Friday gave him the chance to convey an important religious message.

“I want to show all the people that God’s son died for us so we could all live,” said a barefoot Aguilar, 33, as he inched through Oxnard’s La Colonia neighborhood wearing his bloodied tunic and crown of thorns. “The road is really hot but I think God will help me to make it. This is nothing compared to what Jesus did.”

More than 3,000 faithful packed the streets of the largely Latino community for the Passion Play--a vivid reenactment of the trial, torture and crucifixion of Christ. Nearly 70 actors staged the 25th annual noontime pageant, which closely follows a tradition in cities throughout Europe and Latin America.

But unlike the story in the Bible, in Oxnard’s reenactment, Jesus was brutalized by a member of his own family. Aguilar’s son played one of 20 Roman soldiers who lunged at Jesus with mock spear jabs and lashes from whips.

“I kind of wanted to be on my dad’s side, but I guess not,” said Saul Jr., 13, who cut an imposing figure in his gold helmet and scarlet cape. “I might accidentally whip him for real.”

For many like Guadalupe Avila, the spectacle was all too real. The 76-year-old La Colonia resident cried softly as the throngs of actors gathered before Christ during his trial and shrieked, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

“My heart feels a lot right now,” said Avila, who has not missed the Oxnard Passion Play in 25 years. “Jesus suffered so much for us, for our sins.”

Although many of the actors had participated in the Passion Play before, the drama was not lost on them, either. Tino Cabrera, playing Pontius Pilate, said his role as the man who allowed Christ to be condemned made him dream about changing history.

“I get so involved that I just wish I was the real Pontius Pilate in the early days so that I could save Jesus regardless of what the people said,” said Cabrera, a 44-year-old self-employed businessman, who has played various parts over the past 18 years.

After the mock trial, the long procession that included Jesus, a pair of condemned thieves and a battalion of Roman soldiers began marching past Laundromats, mini-marts and taquerias toward Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

A dozen vendors brought up the rear, peddling everything from inflatable bunny rabbits and Mexican flags to ice cream and fresh slices of mango.

There was no doubt who was the star of the show. Adults craned their necks and youngsters clambered up fences to get a better glimpse of Jesus, especially during the three dramatic moments when he collapsed under the weight of the cross.

“People did not think that he was really God’s son,” said Ofelia Pema, 10, as she watched soldiers kick Aguilar with fake blows to make him get up. “It is sad.”

Mayra Hernandez, a 16-year-old sophomore at Oxnard High School, walked more than two hours with pals from school to watch the performance.

“It’s part of our culture,” Mayra said. “We come every year.”

Father Hilario Cisneros was pleased by the youthful turnout and took it as a sign that the long-standing tradition has modern-day relevance.

“In a way, it represents the injustice of the world,” said Cisneros, a priest at Our Lady of Guadalupe. “It is the beating of illegal immigrants. It is the injustice suffered by so many.”

The crowd remained still and silent as the soldiers raised Aguilar on the cross and the two thieves next to him on a grassy knoll behind the church.

Ducking under a small tree for precious shade, 72-year-old Elvira Herrera watched the tragedy through teary eyes and saw a vision of hope.

“Maybe some of the youth here today,” she said, “will tell others to reject drugs and violence and think more about God, work and school.”