Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Life of Jesus in Art’ Category


Galatians 3:26-29: Sisters and Brothers

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Károly Ferenczy: The Sermon on the Mount

Károly Ferenczy: The Sermon on the Mount

It is through faith that all of you are God’s children in union with Christ Jesus.

Today we are reminded that Christ has not gone off to a distant, ethereal place to watch our lives unfold. Christ remains with us in a very real way, guiding and protecting, healing and loving.

You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself.

Today we are reminded that God invites us into a very real union with in and in and through Jesus. God creates us for an in love, to be actions of love in a world longing for consolation.

So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.

Today we are reminded that the Spirit sees none of the distinctions that we place on our societies and peoples. The Spirit marks no divisions and sees no rank.

If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised.

Today we are reminded that the Creator, the Christ and the Spirit call each of us to a perfect and harmonious union in Christ. We are founded in the sure invitation of love extended by the Creator. We are formed in the complete peace of Christ. And we are consoled in the sure partnership of the Spirit. We are all children God. We are all sisters and brothers with Christ. We are all children of peace.

Let us act as though we believe that each of our lives are as important as the life of Christ. Let us, with gesture and word, share the mercy, kindness and compassion that we find in unity with Christ.


Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Sermon_on_the_Mount_K%C3%A1roly_Ferenczy.jpg

Read Full Post »


John 20:11-18: Possibilities

Andrea Solario and Bernardino Luini: Mary Magdalene

Andrea Solario and Bernardino Luini: Mary Magdalene

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Much has been imagined about Mary Magdalene. And what do we imagine were her emotions leading up to and following Jesus’ death? Do we allow ourselves to be both faithful and vulnerable to others as she was to Christ? How does her story instruct us to include more than we exclude possibilities, views and perspectives in our lives?

Much has been said about Mary Magdalene. And what do we say about fidelity, hope and love? How do we allow our everyday interactions with others to show how this woman has changed us? How do we open ourselves to God’s miracles?

Much has been written about Mary Magdalene. And what do we record in our hearts as we consider this woman who was clearly so important to Jesus? What do we hold in our hearts? What do we share with others?


To learn about this remarkable woman, enter her name in the blog search bar, or click on the image above and visit: http://www.knightstemplarorder.org/mary-magdalene/

Was the Magdalene a reformed prostitute or a faithful first apostle of Jesus? We consider why her persona might be characterized in a negative way when we visit: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=83

Read Full Post »


John 20-21: Risen From the Depths

James Tissot: The Appearance of Christ in the Cnacle or Upper Room

James Tissot: The Appearance of Christ in the Cenacle or Upper Room

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Can we believe that Jesus is waiting for us on the shore of our lives as we row homeward?

Can we believe that the love of the Creator is so enormous that all is forgiven?

Can we believe that the Spirit resides in and with us as we strain against the oars that take us home?

We might spend time with the images of James Tissot as he describes the arc of Jesus’ life among us. We might focus on a particular event and ask the risen Christ to speak to our hearts. And we might open ourselves to the enormity of the Spirit’s presence as we reflect on God’s goodness today.


For Tissot’s images and reflections on Jesus’ appearance after his resurrection, click on the image above and use the blue arrows to view when visiting: http://www.joyfulheart.com/holy-week/appearance_of_christ_in_the_upper_room.htm 

For Tissot’s life of Christ images, visit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:The_Life_of_Jesus_Christ_by_James_Tissot

For Tissot’s complete works, visit: http://www.jamestissot.org/

Read Full Post »


John 19:38-42: Descent from the Cross

Van der Weyden: Deposition, or Descent from the Cross

Van der Weyden: Deposition, or Descent from the Cross

Monday, July 17, 2023

We might spend hours with this painting in meditation, reflecting on the enormity of the gift freely given to us in Christ’s Passion for us.

We might spend days thanking the Spirit that continues to abide with us as a continued gift of God’s presence in and with us.

We might spend a lifetime thanking the Creator for the gift of eternal life given to us openly, generously, willingly, lovingly.

We might spend time . . . let us choose to spend that time today.


When we choose a character in this story and study her or his face, we open our hearts to a deeper understanding of Christ’s gift of self to us. For a helpful analysis of this painting, click on the image or visit: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/descent-from-the-cross-weyden.htm#interpretation

Read Full Post »


The Gospels: Christ Crucified

Sunday, July 16, 2023

Diego Velázquez: Cristo Crucificado - Christ Crucified

Diego Velázquez: Cristo Crucificado – Christ Crucified

What do the Gospels say about Christ crucified? As we reflect on Diego Velázquez’ moving depiction of Jesus’ crucifixion, we reflect with the Gospels.

Matthew 27:33-44, Mark 15:21-32, Luke 23:32-43, John 19:17-30

To learn more about the painting and the artist, click on the image or visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Crucified_%28Vel%C3%A1zquez%29

To share other images, enter a painter and the name of the work as a the comment to this post. This week we pause to read scripture and to pray and reflect at noon, keeping those in The Noontime Circle in mid-day prayer. You may want to click on the Connecting at Noon page on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/connecting-at-noon/ In these posts, we will have the opportunity to reflect on a scripture verse and an artist’s rendition of that event. Wishing you grace and love and peace in Christ Jesus.


Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Crucified_%28Vel%C3%A1zquez%29

Read Full Post »


Matthew 27:1-26: From Caiaphas to Pilate

Saturday, July 15, 2023

James Tissott: Jesus led from Caiphas to PIlate

James Tissott: Jesus led from Caiphas to Pilate

Jesus moves from the religious court to the political one. Those who despise the rabbi whom the rabble follow look for ways to annihilate this fledgling movement of hope, courage and love.

To learn more about this painting, click on the image. To suggest other images we might enjoy seeing, enter the painter and the name of the work as a the comment to this post. This week we pause to read scripture and to pray and reflect at noon, keeping those in The Noontime Circle in mid-day prayer. You may want to click on the Connecting at Noon page on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/connecting-at-noon/  In these posts, we will have the opportunity to reflect on a scripture verse and an artist’s rendition of that event. Wishing you grace and love and peace in Christ Jesus.


Image from: http://www.jesus-story.net/caiaphas.htm

Read Full Post »


John 18:13-14, 19-24: Jesus and Caiaphas

Gerard von Honthorst: Christ Before the High Priest

Gerard von Honthorst: Christ Before the High Priest

Friday, July 14, 2023

When we feel as though the world is against us and false witnesses have lined up with lies about us, we need only remember the presence of God’s wisdom within. Today as we read this story we reflect on the light in this image, and remember that Jesus is the light of the world.

To learn more about this painting, click on the image. To suggest other images we might enjoy seeing, enter the painter and the name of the work as a the comment to this post. This week we pause to read scripture and to pray and reflect at noon, keeping those in The Noontime Circle in mid-day prayer. You may want to click on the Connecting at Noon page on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/connecting-at-noon/ In these posts, we will have the opportunity to reflect on a scripture verse and an artist’s rendition of that event. Wishing you grace and love and peace in Christ Jesus.


Image from: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/why-caiaphas-broke-jewish-law-indict-jesus

Read Full Post »


Luke 22:39-44: The Garden of Olives

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Jesus and the Angel in Gethsemane

Jesus and the Angel in Gethsemane

When we believe that we are alone with our suffering, we need only remember the presence of God’s angels about us. When we search for images of angels on the internet we are met with a wide range. Today as we choose those that speak to us and read about Jesus in Gethsemane we remember . . . we are never alone.

We might choose another versions of this part of Jesus’ story. Mark 14:32-42 and Matthew 26:36-46.

To learn more about this painting, click on the image. To suggest other images we might enjoy seeing, enter the painter and the name of the work as a the comment to this post. This week we pause to read scripture and to pray and reflect at noon, keeping those in The Noontime Circle in mid-day prayer. You may want to click on the Connecting at Noon page on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/connecting-at-noon/  In these posts, we will have the opportunity to reflect on a scripture verse and an artist’s rendition of that event. Wishing you grace and love and peace in Christ Jesus.


Image from: http://www.jesus-story.net/gethsemane.htm

Read Full Post »


The Gospels: The Last Supper

Hans Hobein the Younger: The Last Supper

Hans Holbein the Younger: The Last Supper

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

This event is perhaps one of the most represented in art. When we search the internet for images, the Last Supper of DaVinci, Dalí, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Philippe de Champaigne and even Andy Warhol come forward. As us look for and contemplate our favorite painting, let us reflect on where we would be present on this evening of transformation. Are we seated at the table or serving? Are we behind the scenes or in the thick of activity? Are we close by to hear Jesus’ words or have we come to believe that the rabbi somehow has misunderstood God’s call? Where ever we find ourselves we can be certain of this: we are all equal in Christ’s eyes.

We might choose one or all of the Gospel versions of this event. Mark 14:1-31, Matthew 26:26-35, Luke 22:1-28 and John 13-17

To learn more about this painting, click on the image. To suggest other images we might enjoy seeing, enter the painter and the name of the work as a the comment to this post. This week we pause to read scripture and to pray and reflect at noon, keeping those in The Noontime Circle in mid-day prayer. You may want to click on the Connecting at Noon page on this blog at: https://thenoontimes.com/connecting-at-noon/ In these posts, we will have the opportunity to reflect on a scripture verse and an artist’s rendition of that event. Wishing you grace and love and peace in Christ Jesus.

Image from: http://www.jesus-story.net/last_supper.htm

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »