Presby-Musings

The spiritual journey is a constant interplay between moments of awe followed by a process of surrender to that moment.  - Frederick Buechener The painting below by Rembrandt is entitled Christ In The Storm On The Lake Of Galilee:  This painting depicts the moment in Mark 4:35-41 when Jesus and his disciples are caught in a sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee.  Throughout the storm, Jesus is fast asleep in the boat. After frantically trying to solve things themselves, the disciples wake him up angrily saying, "Don't you even care that we are sinking?!!?" I'm going to zoom in on Jesus in Rembrandt's painting so you can see how he depicted him.  It's awesome: Does Jesus look upset that there's a storm?  Does he seem particularly frightened?  No! He looks resigned, actually---resigned to the fact that his followers don't seem to get it. You see, they are scared to death of the wind and waves, when the One who was present at the momen...

Many years ago, I saw a painting by Rembrandt that has been cemented in my imagination. The painting is entitled The Raising of the Cross , and it was completed by Rembrandt in 1633.  The interesting thing about the painting is that the artist painted himself into it, not once but twice.   If you look closely, you will see Rembrandt's self portrait in a beret-wearing workman at the foot of the Cross (which Jesus is nailed to), working with soldiers to lift it. You will also see his face in the figure of a foreman of sorts wearing a turban, directing the entire scene.   Rembrandt's imagery forces us to admit that unless we are willing to place ourselves at the scene of Christ's death, we'll never be able to fully imagine ourselves standing in awe outside the Empty Tomb.   In other words, if we are to live in to the hope of the Resurrection on the other side of Crucifixion, we need to confront the truth about who we are, and where we find ourselves at the foot...