Information, reflection, questions, opinions and study helps for one or more of the readings appointed for the Sundays and Major Feasts of Year C in the Revised Common Lectionary used by the Episcopal Church.
On Sunday (2/17/13) we heard about the Temptation of Jesus. Periodically that same tune plays through the chimes we hear. What does such a tune stir up in you?
Temptation. A reflection by Pastor Steve.
In our Sunday handout I included this meditation. For those of you not able to be around the table in real life (= irl), I share the beginning of Steve’s meditation here:
Dear Gentle God,
I am not tempted to turn flint into rye, to be able to fly—or even drift nicely—or to bow down to some guy in a red suit and a tail so the kingdoms of the world worship me. Jesus knew he couldn’t do magic, defy gravity or make people like him. But I do want to have power and to be in control of my life, to avoid suffering or struggle, and to manage what other people think of me. I am tempted to make of things something that they aren’t. I’m tempted to take the comfortable route. I’m tempted to expect that you should protect me from difficulty. And I really want to make people like me.
In this sere land of desire, God, rip these idols from my hands.
You’ll want to read the rest; you can find the complete meditation here: Temptation by Steve Garnaas-Holmes, February 15, 2013, on his blog, Unfolding Light.
What does a question sound like? What does friendship sound like? Today, I hear an important question in the sounding of the chimes. What do you hear?
Could it be true? How will you answer?
Today [Jan 12th] as Cistercians we celebrate the life and teaching of our own Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, a 12th-century monk of Great Britain. In his well-known treatise, Spiritual Friendship, Saint Aelred declares rather boldly that “God is friendship.” This is his own gloss on Saint John’s words, “God is love.” And clearly it expresses Aelred’s own experience of God’s intimacy.
Saint Aelred on the blog of St. Joseph’s Abbey, Spencer MA
Read the entire post (it’s short) to hear the question of the monks. Hear the question of the monks in the glorious sounds of the Good News proclaimed on Sunday (believing that what was true of Jesus and for Jesus is true of us and for us): “You are my Beloved.” (Luke 3:21-22)
Adoration of the Kings Apse mosaic, 1296, window level:3 Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome TORRITI, Jacopo (active c. 1270-1300) Click image for more information.
In Jacopo Torriti’s Adoration of the Kings, Mary is sitting on a throne with the baby Jesus on her lap. Rays of an inconspicuous star (to the left of the top of the throne) are pointing directly to the head of Jesus. Three Magi with their crowns and splendid robes have arrived and are offering their gifts as they kneel. As the first Magus presents his gift, Jesus reaches out like a curious child. The other two Magi are kneeling in a similar position and create a sense of progression toward Jesus. Variations among them are introduced through differences in their crowns, the color of their beards and hair, and the color of their robes. In the large pictorial space above them, an angel hovers. The angel’s active shape and large spreading wings fill the space and balance visually the stable and compact shapes of the Magi below. All aspects—gestures, gazes, and leanings—of the wise men lead the viewer toward the infant Jesus. As the Magi kneel, the angel above them looks at Jesus, extends an arm, and gestures, “Behold”
In the year 1261, sculptor Nicola Pisano completed a large and much-admired baptistery pulpit for the cathedral of Pisa. Among the scenes carved in relief was the visit of the Magi. Pisano’s kneeling Magi is likely the basis for the kneeling wise men in Torriti’s Adoration of the Kings.
In the Gospel of Matthew, an account is given of wise men from the East being guided by a star as they traveled to Bethlehem to see the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). It is believed these gift-bearing visitors were Magi from Persia. Magi were known to be scholars who studied science, mathematics, philosophy, and the stars. Matthew’s account does not indicate how many men journeyed to Bethlehem but because three gifts were brought, the assumption and tradition has been that there were three.
When Herod learned of the Magi’s visit, he was frightened and wanted to know the time Jesus was born “so [purportedly] that I may also go and pay him homage.” Herod’s evil intent was made known to the Magi in a dream and after they found Jesus and brought gifts, they did not return to Herod. Instead they took another route as they returned home.
During the twelfth and thirteenth century there was an extraordinary growth in veneration of Mary and many churches honored her name. In France, cathedrals were named Notre Dame (Holy Virgin) and in Rome alone, twenty-five churches were given her name. The largest of these churches—known as Santa Maria Maggiore (Saint Mary Major)—was expanded numerous times and during the late thirteenth century the entire choir area was rebuilt. Jacopo Torriti was commissioned to design the mosaic for its new apse. By this time, Mary had been exalted to the status of royalty and in art she was often seated on a throne. Torriti’s theme for the apse was the coronation of the virgin and its centerpiece was a large medallion depicting Christ placing a crown on the head of Mary. Adoration of the Kings below the medallion is one of the scenes depicting the life of Mary.
Note
Artists before the Renaissance had difficulties when they tried to create a convincing likeness of a child. The face of Torriti’s infant Jesus has the facial features of his mother and a receding hairline. His proportions are like that of an adult’s body reduced in size.
A mosaic is an image created by cementing small pieces (called tesserae) of various hard colored materials – usually of uniform size – to a base such as a wall, floor or ceiling. Materials such as marble, glazed clay and glass have been used traditionally for tesserae and they continue to be used today.
College of the Desert Professor Emeritus (Art) Hovak Najarian
Updated: May 14, 2024
If you are new to this blog, I am pleased to introduce you to (Dr.) Hovak Najarian. Since 2011 Hovak has introduced us to artists, art techniques, and art history to keep us growing in the knowledge and love of the Lord.
After receiving his MA in Art at Columbia University Hovak and his wife, Margie, spent 3 years in Normal, IL on the art faculty of Illinois State University. In his own words, “We soon found that natives of Florida and California were no match for winters in Illinois.”
In 1966 Hovak and Margie relocated to Southern California when Hovak accepted a teaching position at College of the Desert in Palm Desert. He retired in 1994 and was honored with the title Professor Emeritus (Art) by the College of the Desert. Again, Hovak: “During that time [1966-1994], I was Chair of the Art Department for many years, returned to Columbia University and completed my doctorate, and with Margie, raised three wonderful sons.”
In his retirement, Hovak continues his own creative work, and, has been an active participant in the Sunday Morning Forum and a regular contributor to this blog. Hovak is active in St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and in the Armenian community in the Coachella Valley which gives him a unique perspective to share.
As we journey together I expect to learn more about art, art history, art as an expression of faith, and art as a shaper of faith. Together, let us hear what the Spirit is saying. ~Fr. Dan
Hear what the Spirit is saying 