Lent - Day Fifteen

Dead End by Stephanie CZYBA
for sale at Saatchi Art

“Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. Isaiah 60 verse 15

The stone that was rejected has become the cornerstone.  In the edict of Milan (313AD), Emperor Constantine revoked the outlawing of Christianity.  In 347 AD he made Christianity the official religion.  Soon after this he died and Emperor Julian returned to persecuting Christian believer.  Amazingly this did not last for long.  But as Brian McLaren  says (see link for book) good and bad consequences follow from forsaken to prescribed religion.  Now the name of God can be evoked to justify anything. 

Question:  Where is the radical in my religion?

Prayer:  May I walk with you as in the Garden of Eden.

Lent - Day Fourteen

The Conversion of St Paul; by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.  Isaiah 60 verse 14

I chose St Paul to illustrate the point here.  Miracles do happen, and wrongs are put right.  For hundreds of year the people of Africa were systematically oppressed and destroyed by most countries in Europe, and before that, Arabia.  Many of these counties called themselves 'Christian', but by their actions they were clearly not. Now so many of  the oppressed live in the shelter of the Creator, and those that once oppressed, with open eyes, can see this.

Question:  Do I see and honour those who were once oppressed but stay true to the Lord?

Prayer: May the meek inherit the earth.

Interestingly....you can play a game of 'Spot the Difference' between elder and younger Bruegel.

The Conversion of St Paul; by Pieter Bruegel the Younger.
Villa Vauban, Luxembourg City.

Lent- Day Thirteen

Pilgrimage to the Cedars of Lebanon by 
Tivadar Csontvary Kosztka 
Hungarian  National Gallery

 “The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for my feet." Isaiah 60 verse 13

I recently made a hardwood bowl, as part of a team building exercise at work.  I was fascinated by the the experience of  cutting and forming the wood.  Like a pot that is fired in an oven, the wood, when polished, reveals it's secrets.  The same thing happens when stone is polished.

Wood and stone are very challenging to work with, but they also are very satisfying.  The temple to the Lord is made from beautiful wood which is fragrant.  Moving it across the countryside from Lebanon is a major undertaking.  The effort put in makes the final achievement worthwhile.  Similarly a certificate of merit and achievement is only of value if it was a challenge to acquire in the first place.  

Question:  Do we give our all to glorify our Creator?

Prayer:  You see everything I do, and may I always give you honour.

Lent- Day Twelve

The ruins of Kreuzkirche, Dresden
by Bernardo Bellotto Canaletto,
Following the Prussian invasion of 1767
Kunsthaus, Zurich

"For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined." Isaiah 60 Verse 12

Harsh words?  What does this say to me?  In today's context I understand that anything that is not rooted in the kingdom of God will perish, just like plants that are not rooted in life giving soil with shrivel up and die.  This reminds me of the story Jesus told of the seed falling on the different fields.  The land that is ready to receive will be blessed.

Question: Where can I see the life of God flourishing about me?

 Prayer: I know that my roots are firmly rooted in you, and I am thankful.

Here is the same view of Dresden painted by Canaletto 17 years earlier.

In 1750 Canaletto painted the church. 
I wonder how he felt painting it again in ruins.

Lent- Day Eleven

 The Golden Gate - Jerusalem
Mark Fuller (1913) fineartamerica.com

"Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations." Isaiah 60 verse 11

Gates are there to be shut.  These gates remain open.  This is the message.  These gates could be closed, but we choose to leave them open, day and night.  Our hearts, our minds and our churches should always remain open.  Every service should be ready for new people to arrive.  These gates are twice blessed.  We are blessed in our generosity, but also, unaware to us, these people also bring salvation.  Their wealth is shared with us, whatever it is.  We are enriched, and the glory is given to the Creator who has a plan and awareness of all things.

Question: Are we aware of 'our gates' and how they are perceived?  

Prayer: Give us the courage, strength and protection we need to keep our gates open.

Second Sunday in Lent

 

Self Portrait as a Maid of Honour to
the Queen of Spain.
Sofonisba Anguissola
Meisterdruke.uk

Give Honour to the Lord

Lent - Tenth Day

Israelites Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem 
Etching by Antonio tempests,
National Art Gallery, Washington DC

 “Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favour I will show you compassion." Isaiah 60 verse 10

In most cultures foreigners are not trusted.  They tend not to have the same loyalty to the King...or the cricket team.  The term has pejorative connotations.  Here we know that the foreigners have come to bless.  Their kings come to bow the knee to the One King.  The people are part of the blessing given to all the faithful.  I think of the Christian community in the UK.  It is greatly blessed by people coming from across the globe to join our worship.  The church is enriched and enlivened.  The buildings are being strengthened

Question:  What blessing do I receive from the new comers in my community?

Prayer: May your church be strengthened in this land.

Lent - Ninth Day

 

Credit: artsale.com

"Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honour of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendour." Isaiah 60 verse 9

Tarshish symbolises the source of all good things.  Tarshish could have been in Phenicia, or perhaps Sardinia, or in Spain, even Cadiz.  Today perhaps it is one of the Chinese ports, such as Shanghai, from where the West imports luxuries and electronics.  

Children leave to make their fortune and have an adventure.  But they return with the 'tribute' being brought to honour the Lord of all; the Creator of the Universe.  

Question:  What do I bring to honour my Lord?

Prayer: The most precious gift is people, and with our wealth come our children. 

Lent - Day Eight

Cloud Study By John constable, Royal Academy of Art, London

 “Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests?" Isaiah 60 verse 8

Who are these? These are the people who know what is good for them.  They are the ones who see the glory of their creator and respond.  How do they respond?  They fly like the wind. 

For Constable, the beauty of Hampstead Heath became as nothing compared to the majesty of the sky. 

Doves know where their nest is, and fly 'as the crow flies', not looking to left or right.  We know where our safe place is.  It is in the presence of our Creator, the most attractive place to be.

Question: When is the presence of the Creator to be found?

Prayer: You have put your Spirit within me.

Lent - Day Seven

Evening Flock by Debbie Boon - The Rose Gallery

All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple. Isaiah 60 verse 7

Nebaioth and Kedar (Bedouin) are the elder sons of Ishmael.  This is a striking prophecy indicating  that all the peoples of the Holyland are included in the blessing being described.  They will be forgiven (symbolised by the acceptability of their rams) just as we are.  This will be a miracle and a triumph.  

Sadly this blessing feels a long way off at the moment.

Question:  Can I see all people equally blessed just as I am?

Prayer:  We pray for the peace of Jerusalem (using a broad definition).

Lent - Sixth Day

Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. Isaiah 60 verse 6

Midian- Signifies the mountain range in Arabia south of Kedar, on the gulf of Aqaba. It is named after a son of Abraham.  

Ephah- Midian is said to be the father of Ephah.  It is a land of dromedaries.

Sheba - There is a bit of a tussle here between Ethiopia and The Yemen.

Just as the tradition holds that the wise men came from Arabia (Balthazar), Persia (Melchior) and India (Caspar), we read here of the bringing of wealth and tribute to the 'Lord'.  For me, the 'Lord' is Jesus.  Just as in the past a proud father 'brings home the bacon' to feed his family, so too we work hard to bring our tribute to the Lord.

Muslims traditionally place the Koran on the highest shelf to give it symbolic honour over all other books.  So Jesus is given the highest place over all other people in our lives.

Modern transliteration:  "...Luxury cars are brought from Germany and Italy; from America comes innovations and technology, all to honour and adore our Creator."

Question:  Does everything I have give honour to the Lord?

Prayer:  My desire is to give you my best.

Lent - Fifth day

by Charles Taylor - credit: Baron Fine Art, London

"Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come." Isaiah 60 verse 5

Who is 'you'?  I believe it is Jesus.  In his life on earth, Jesus had very little by way of wealth.  His security was in his friendships.  When he was given expensive things, I fear that people questioned whether he deserve them (Mary Magdalene washed his feet in expensive perfume.)  But the One who created all things, and is the source of all things (both good and bad), is entitled to the good things Kings and Rules expect as a right.  Yet for sure, our Creator is not really drive by the passions we wrestle with.  The wealth on the seas was given to us, and a 'Gift is a Gift, is a Gift', but only to the extent that we know it is only our 'right' because it is a gift.  Like the prodigal.  "Give me my birthright now!"

We say "it's much better to live in the doorway of the court of the monarch", and feel the wealth and security about us.  No one starves, and the entertainments are wonderful.

Question:  How much do I see that all that I have is a gift?

Prayer:  May I always know that what I have is to be shared.

The First Sunday in Lent

 

Praise Him, by Darlington Ike,
credit: Fine Art America

Give Praise to the Lord

Lent - Fourth Day

Credit: Salini Perera, from Today's Parents website. 

 “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.  Isaiah 60 verse 4

When Jesus walked on earth, we understand that people assembled round him wherever he went.  Some wanted 'things'- mainly to be healed from ailments.  May came just to be near him, and try to catch some of his wisdom.  There is something about being in a crowd which is exciting.  Football fans know this.  The crowd is also unpredictable.  There is a degree of danger.  But this crowd is rich with children.  Children are joy bringers.

Question: Where about me is the attraction of Jesus?

Prayer: May I come with my gift.

Lent- Day Three

MassArt Art Museum, Boston

"Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." Isaiah 60 verse 3

I write this on the day called Epiphany. It is the day we celebrate a group of wise and learned travellers  make a vast journey to discover answers to the paradox we call life.  What they discover is literally very little (a baby).  But it is also a vital seed of hope - the ray of early light heralding a new day.  

The wise travellers signify to me that anyone who is open to discovering the 'truth' embedded in creation will find it.  If you seek, you will find.  This is for all people from the stone age, across pre-Columbian America, and into the far reaches of Siberia.  Vincent Donovan, in his book 'Christianity Rediscovered' explains his experience of describing Jesus for the first time to Massi people and hearing that they already understood and related to this person.

Question: How do I remain in the presence of the Creator?

Prayer:  May I always stay stay with you, and never leave.

Lent - Second day

Darkness by Viki Disney
for sale on Saatchiart.com

"See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you." Isaiah 60 verse 2

Most of us understand that we most cope with darkness.  It is part of the experience of day.  There is a rationale behind it, and a trade off with the light.  We do not have control over the 'mass of darkness'.  Our attitude towards it is important.  Unlike the sun, the SON remains with us.  The glory of the Creator knows no bounds. we are not alone. Hope is a gift that cannot be stolen or diminished, as it is not 'conjured up' or intoned by wishful thoughts.  It is a fact.

Question: In the darkness, what gives me hope?  

Prayer: Increase in me a sense of your glory.

Lent- Ash Wednesday

Light through Trees by Cedar Lee
(artbycedar.con)

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you!"  Isaiah 60 verse 1

In our world most light comes from the sun.  In the bleakest 'god forsaken' place, the rays of sunlight in the morning are inspirational.  They come from another world.  The rising of the sun is something we take for granted.  If it did not happen, that would be the end of the world as we know it.  Even in the arctic winter, the sun is just round the corner.  It will return.  

For us God's love is the same.  It is new every morning.  It is independent of our bleakest situation.  It remains reliable, consistent and life giving.  

Question:  What informs me today that my Creator loves me?  How do I reciprocate?

Prayer: I feel the warmth of your presence.  I know you are near.

Shrove Tuesday- Lent begins tomorrow

Battle between the Carnival and Lent, by follower of Jheronimus Bosch.
Museum Catharijneconvent, Utrecht.

 I have put together a mini-series for Lent.  

• A picture- a verse from Isaiah chapters 60-62
• A question
• A brief prayer.

This is my way of reading and thinking about the bible.  If it has a readership of one, that's fine.  If you read it, I am touched by your kindness.

Remember, Sundays are usually a break from Lent.  They are in my series.