Eugene Delacroix ~ Christ on the Sea of Galilee ~1798-1863
How familiar we are with this gospel scene (Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:35-41; Lk 8:22-25). Delacroix has captured the fury and frenzy well, hasn't he? There is a fellow under the forward mast which is collapsing onto him. One disciple seems be calling out to Jesus who is "asleep with his head on a pillow". Three disciples are trying desperately to control the back mast while one poor disciple is stretched to the max trying to catch the edge of the wildly flapping sail. Jaw like waves threaten to take the little boat under. The surrounding mountains spell gloom. But all is not lost. Is Delacroix suggesting a hint of hope with those patches of sky breaking through the clouds — perhaps the first sign of Jesus awakening to take things in hand. It is an apt gospel scene for life on this planet — maybe particularly for the times in which we find ourselves today.
"Signs of the times." Here are some protestors at a recent school board meeting. Their faces are all over "twitter" (how ironic, twitter is a word used to describe the pretty sounds of birds). They are furiously angry and menacing like Delacroix's sea, distorted like the faces surrounding Jesus in a Hieronymous Bosch painting. If only we could see ourselves; hear ourselves in truth. But notice by contrast bright Veronica (bottom left) who holds the face of Jesus on her cloth.
And here is the prayer offered on the last page of every issue of Forward Day by Day — Daily Devotions for Disciples. The prayer invites transformation of soul — which is the purpose of living the Christian spiritual life. I pray it often — with good intent and hope. The nation is roiling with individualism and an exhausting politicization of seemingly everything. Maybe we can pray this prayer together, forming something of a restorative cyber-community. Help to keep the little boat from sinking.
Forward Movement Prayer
O God: Give me strength to live another day; Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties; Let me not lose faith in other people; Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness; Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them; Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity; Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things; grant me this day some new vision of thy truth; Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls; in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Phillips Brooks
Phillips Brooks is the 19th century Anglican clergyman (1835-1893) who wrote the lyrics to the gentling carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem.
