The Lighthouse at Honfleur,
Painting by Georges Seurat (1859-1891),
Painted in 1886,
Oil on canvas
© National Gallery of Art, Washington
The Lighthouse at Honfleur,
Painting by Georges Seurat (1859-1891),
Painted in 1886,
Oil on canvas
© National Gallery of Art, Washington
Jesus went out to the shore of the lake
Mark 2:13-17
Jesus went out to the shore of the lake; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. As he was walking on he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus, sitting by the customs house, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
When Jesus was at dinner in his house, a number of tax collectors and sinners were also sitting at the table with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many of them among his followers. When the scribes of the Pharisee party saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard this he said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.’
Reflection on the painting
In our Gospel reading today we hear how Jesus walks to the shore of the lake and he asks us to shine our light at the shores. We are called not just to live our faith, but to also actively witness our faith. We have to be a lighthouse: having strong foundations, weathering any storm, and also shine our light that can be seen from afar to guide people.
Our painting from 1886 is by Georges Seurat. Seurat invented a technique called pointillism. He juxtaposed minute touches of unmixed pigments in hues corresponding to the perceived colour. Up close the colours don’t make sense, but seen from a distance, they blend to the eye of the viewer. For example in our painting the brickwork of the building is made from pure red and blue dots. From afar the viewer sees these as brown brickwork. It was a slow, meticulous technique, far less random than impressionism. It also gives these pointillist paintings a freshness and crispness that few other paintings have.
To think of our Christian faith as a lighthouse is a beautiful image, as we navigate the seas of our own lives. We are also called to be a guiding lights to others… in order for us all to reach the Eternal Harbour…
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Waar twee of meer mensen samen bidden, is God in hun midden. Vele lichtjes schitteren samen tot één groot licht.
Veel moed, Space for Grace!
Even on a modern ship with electronic navigation, sighting a lighthouse is reassuring. It warns of danger while also pointing to safety.
I heard a priest say that Jesus didn’t come for the righteous because there are no righteous. We are all sinners in need of a savior.
Great comment
Like the Impressionists, colour and blending is integral to life, art and being a supporter and practicioner of truth. Jesus teaches us to love and to blend with all. Hard to do, just like the painting. painstaking process. Thats why we revere both the artist and Christ. Like Christ, the artist died young, only about 24 paintings exist, yet he is profoundly remembered.
We have a lighthouse on Walney Island. It is not visible from where I live. But it is there!
There is also an obilisk which is used to navigate to shore.
Life is perilous. We need assisted guidance. Praying for each other hrlps.
I like the similarity of a lighthouse and our faith. The more I read of the Bible. My faith is stronger, and my doubts diminish. Even though we have rough times, God , faith in knowing God will give us strength to get thru our issues. The lighthouse similarity is good to remember. Plus sharing our faith with others is similar to lighthouse. Thank you
Thank you Cheryl
Myself, I think I need to remember I am ‘sick’ rather than ‘virtuous’ !! Lord help me.
I guessed the date and artist but didn’t know the painting – I have been to Honfleur many times. Trouville, a few miles down that same coast, has benches all along the ‘promenade’ inscribed with the names of artists who visited and painted there. Of course, Seurat’s La Grande Jatte is one of the images that greets us when logging on to CA.
This is becoming a very supportive community of prayer which buoys us up.
Thanks Patricia. I agree, if this community here could blossom into a prayer community, that would be wonderful. A place where we can all support each other.
Thank you for your prayers yesterday. Although my situation didn’t change the way I was feeling about it did. I need to learn patience and acceptance. The lighthouse- an image indeed that represents solidity and shelter. If that isn’t faith, I don’t know what else is.
“Where two or three people come together in my name, there I am with them”. Stay strong!
beautiful painting and reflection!
Thank you Jo.