Photo taken of a preview exhibition at Christie's London, showing the Portrait of a commander, three-quarter-length, being dressed for battle,
Painted by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640),
Painted around 1612-1614,
Oil on panel
© Alamy / Christie’s London, 6 July 2010, lot 16, sold £9 million
Photo taken of a preview exhibition at Christie's London, showing the Portrait of a commander, three-quarter-length, being dressed for battle,
Painted by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640),
Painted around 1612-1614,
Oil on panel
© Alamy / Christie’s London, 6 July 2010, lot 16, sold £9 million
Your light must shine in the sight of men
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’
Reflection on the gallery display
Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel reading that ‘Your light must shine in the sight of men’. But the use of the metaphor of light is not just an abstract notion. Jesus goes on to linking it straight to the doing of good works. When people see good works being done (especially now during Lent), it may inspire them to want to learn more about what drove that person to do them--what inspired him, what pushed her to make such a sacrifice, etc….
Light is important. Also in art. Actually, especially in art. There are accounts of Jusepe de Ribera and Caravaggio asking their landlords if they could create a window in their studios to let more light in. Artists simply can’t paint without good light. Light is not important only for the creation of an artwork, but also for us to appreciate the completed work of art. While the optimal light to appreciate a painting is daylight, many museums or auction houses now experiment with creating drama using artificial light. Think of darkened rooms with spotlights just illuminating the paintings. It certainly creates drama. Our photo was taken at a preview of the Old master painting sale at Christie’s London, showing the dramatic light on a painting by Rubens which came to auction and sold for £9 million.
We need light to do good works for the Lord, but we also need the light to see all that the others around us are doing, too. Light exposes, light highlights, light reveals, light illuminates the path we have ahead of us…
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I would like to find the picture from yesterday March 1st. I wanted to buy a copy of the pencil drawing Christ on the Cross. Am I too late?
Danos, Señor Único Dios Nuestro, tu Luz (tu Gracia), para ver tu Voluntad y hacer las obras correspondientes a Ella: que sean luminosas suficientemente para que en ellas nuestros prójimos Te vean y así Te amen.
An important message for me today- that it isn’t just about the light I try to carry through me from God to others, but about me recognising the light they also shine to me! We sometimes overlook this when we get annoyed and impatient with people, which I frequently do. Underneath there is light in them too. I shall try to see it in the people I encounter today. Thank you for these morning messages of light Patrick!
I think that it is natural to be annoyed and impatient with people. We cannot get on with everyone – indeed one or two people have said that they find me quite annoying! But as Patrick has said, we must only want the best for them.
Thank YOU for all you write too.
We all get a little impatient at times with people. It is one of the things we have to deal with in seminary life when living with over 30 men. Patience is required at times :-). But then it is always worth reminding ourselves that we are here for Christ and the impatience just melts away like snow in the sun…
Genesis chapter 1 verses 3 – 4.
I’m impressed with your biblical knowledge and the way that you quote chapter and verse. You are probably a Protestant and their knowledge of the Bible is nearly always superior to Catholics.
I am a Catholic born and bred. Catholics have more scripture than any other church. 3 or 4 readings at Mass every day. Divine office. Lectio Divina. Many translations of the Bible. It was the Catholic church which gave the world the Bible in about the year 421. It also translated it into 2 or 3 other languages before anyone else I believe. The Catholic Church believes that the translation and meaning of the scriptures is the duty of the Church’s Magisterium and not for personal interpretation.
Wow! Well said! I can only say that I too am Catholic born and bred and I didn’t read the Bible too much when I was a lad. Indeed a priest of my acquaintance said that you didn’t need to read it all the time as greater minds than mine have been distilling and cogitating over its meaning for centuries and thus the Church presents it to the faithful in its essence.
You will know that one of the great demands of the reformers was that the Bible was made available to the faithful in the vernacular.
Anyway these divisions are largely in the past and since the Second Vatican Council we have all been encouraged to read the good book ourselves.
Nice to chat about such an important matter. There is no difficulty any more. 🙂
Bibles were way to expensive for everyone to have a copy until the 20th century. It was the latter part of the 20th century when they became much more affordable and every person could own their own. It is still the worlds best selling book. Praise God!
Interesting about the correct light needed to view art works well. The Donatello show at the Victoria and Albert Museum illustrates the point in that he was famous for very low relief sculpture. Thus if these pieces are strongly lit from directly in front a great deal of detail and subtlety is lost. The curators have lit the artworks with this in mind.
I knew little about the man as he is not a painter. Worth a visit for the many Virgin and Child sculptures.
I haven’t seen the exhibition at the V&A… I fear I will be only be back towards 20 June… probably the show will be over then?
We will get up a petition to have the exhibition held open until after your ordination Patrick. LOL.