Man is ordered to the good, the true, and the beautiful because in such things we encounter God. As my good friend, Patrick van der Vorst at Christian Art suggests, Ladislav Záborský's painting captures what today's Gospel reading from Luke's twenty-fourth chapter wants to make clear, "that the Risen Lord was not a ghost or a spirit. No, Christ was physically present and real after the Resurrection." For a Gospel reflection about this painting please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Today, we encounter "Doubting Thomas" by Jessie Boston. There are many today who doubt Christ's resurrection from the dead. Not only doubt Christ's Resurrection but doubt Jesus Christ ever lived at all. My answer to this is: Good! Doubt, fully formed, fully matured, brings us to investigate the truth of something. When we doubt, when we really doubt, we are not in some skeptical, immature, and boorish state of ignoring something. On the contrary. Doubt creates pause. Doubt creates examination. Doubt creates reflection. Doubt, in the most mature sense of what it is, causes one to fully immerse oneself into the object of doubt itself. This, fellow sinners, is the first step toward finding the reality and truth of something. Let there be doubt! Saint Thomas the Apostle lived, ate, walked, and prayed with the historical figure of Jesus of Nazareth, who Himself, suffered under Pontius Pilate (yet another certifiably provable historical figure in human history). As my good friend, Patrick van der Vorst, at Christian Art suggests, the painting is capturing the intersection of inspection (doubt) and faith. For a reflection about this painting, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Today, we encounter "Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda" by Carl Heinrich Bloch. This is a painting and an image of divine mercy. As my good friend, Patrick van der Vorst, at Christian Art writes, the painting is capturing the moment where Jesus "picked the one lonely man to heal" and that it was the man's helplessness which "drew Jesus to him." Patrick's Lenten Gospel reflection invites us to examine our own state. Are we in need of divine mercy? Do we invite Jesus into the preoccupations of our lives? Like the man in this story, it is our response to Jesus' question that becomes life-changing. As we approach the glory of Easter, let us allow the remaining days of Lent to help us examine the question Jesus proposes today: Do you want to be well? Let us respond humbly, not refusing God's loving invitation to receive whatever is from him, which is always for our good.    For a reflection about this painting, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Today, we encounter "Dante and Virgil in hell" by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. This is a haunting painting and a vision of hell. As my good friend, Patrick van der Vorst, at Christian Art writes, the painting "depicts Dante and Virgil in the eighth circle of Hell...." Patrick provides a Lenten Gospel reflection using the artist's portrayal of hypocrisy - the "twisting of realities to suit our needs." Let us continue to participate in the Lenten exercise, examining our heart, turning back to God, and ask for assistance that he may help purify our motives in all we do each day. For a reflection about this painting, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

Today, we encounter "The First Mourning" by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Bouguereau is fast becoming one of my favorite artists. I encountered today's painting thanks to my good friend, Patrick van der Vorst, at Christian Art; https://www.christian.art/index.php. He provides a beautiful Lenten reflection on such a beautiful painting. For a reflection about this painting, please click on the image. Peace be with you!