Picture This

Originally posted at www.fccleb.org on June 23

The Guardian of London reports that a 4th century fresco depicting John and Andrew was discovered under a street in Rome (go here for more: www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jun/22/apostles-images-john-andrew-italy). Finds like this are always welcome news to this Roman and Church history fan. They help us learn more about the ancient world and the people who inhabited it, making classical times come alive.

One of the most striking things about the fresco is that it portrays a youthful Andrew. In most art, he’s shown as an old man. Here we have him at his prime, allowing us to imagine the disciple as he was when he knew Jesus. He’s a young man, and we can picture him setting out on the great adventure in ministry and service to which he’d been called.

By providing us with an unaccustomed depiction of Andrew from an earlier part of his life, this fresco helps to make him a more three-dimensional figure to us, providing a reminder that the disciples were real people who aged, had foibles, ambitions, doubts, hopes and dreams – people just like you and me.

Pretty neat stuff, if you ask me!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 51:1-18: Sacrifice

During Lent people often talk about the things they've given up as a sacrifice.  That offering can seem like a burden.  Sometimes that's good, sometimes that's not.  It's good when we part with something that matters so that we can deepen our faith.  It's not when in doing so, we act as if we're doing God some kind of favor, one that deserves praise and acknowledgment.  The psalmist, along with the prophets and others in Scripture, not to mention Jesus, knew this reality.  They knew that it was all too easy for people to fake sacrifice, to look like they were doing something for God but in reality were doing something to boost their own reputation righteousness.  Here, in verses 17 and 18 and Psalm 51 we are told what God really seeks from us: not an animal on an altar, but real introspection and an honest accounting of our sins.  "Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.  The sacrifice o
Read more

Shortest Day

Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.  You've probably heard by now about the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, which should be quite a sight.  Of course, this being 2020, the sky will probably be overcast obscuring this celestial event. But rather than be pessimistic, I will indulge in some optimism, some hope, that we will be able to see what has been dubbed "The Christmas Star" - even though Christmas isn't until the 25th and Jesus was likely born in March.  Still, it's the thought that counts, right?  Advent is all about hopeful anticipation, and we're coming to its glorious conclusion. I choose to welcome Christ with an open heart.  What about you?  Will you join me?  Will you look heavenward, confident that, clouds or no clouds, Our Lord is coming to be with us?
Read more

Girl Power

I honestly don't know whether referring to "girl power" is, as they now say, "problematic."  I use it with reference to today's Scripture readings with only the greatest of respect.  The stories of Scripture are as much about women as they are men.  Consider Hannah, mother of Samuel, and Mary, mother of Jesus, who were two strong, empowered women whose faith guided their lives, example and morals shaped their sons, and witness that inspired the faithful for generations.  As we approach Christmas, let us remember these two women who have done so much to shape the faith through their commitment, grit, and love.
Read more