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!

“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus first addresses the paralytic’s deepest need and most serious ailment in order to reveal his true mission as the Son of God: the salvation of souls. Even a miraculous restoration of physical health will not last forever, but Christ’s forgiveness means we can “rise and walk” on the last day. The scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy because they ... fail to see their need for conversion. Let us be “struck with awe and glorify God” that we, too, can receive the forgiveness of sins. Credit: as published at MAGNIFICAT, http://www.magnificat.net, July 2, 2020. Man is ordered to the good, the true, and the beautiful because, as the Catholic Church teaches, in such things we encounter God. Today, we encounter "Christ Healing the Paralytic" by Anthony Van Dyck. For a reflection about this painting, please click on the image. Peace be with you!

This Sunday, in the Liturgy of the Mass, Catholics around the globe will celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi - from the Latin, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. St. Paul wrote vividly about what the Catholic Church believes is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist; and the Catholic Church has defended the apostolic origins of this belief for two millennia. Man is ordered to the good, the true, and the beautiful because, as the Catholic Church teaches, in such things we encounter God. Today, we encounter "Allegory of the Eucharist" by Alexander Coosemans. For a reflection about this painting, and for a Catholic defense of the apostolic origins of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, please click on the image. Peace be with you!