This painting is titled simply, "The Difficult Journey." But it is Joseph and pregnant Mary on their way to Bethlehem where Jesus will be born. Fritz von Uhde incurred harsh criticism for taking the ancient biblical accounts and depicting them as contemporary events. Indeed, the meaning of the Gospels is forever and every where.
I am thinking of those who are already furious that there are plans to change some aspects of the interior of Notre Dame in Paris so that the cathedral can proclaim a contemporary message to the millions of non-believing tourists who pour through it annually. "The Church is not a museum of antiques to be preserved but a flourishing garden of life to be cultivated." Pope John XXIII said.
The census rule of the occupying Roman Empire required each family to return to their place of origin to be counted. This young family is walking a muddy road. It is a hazy, damp morning. Mary carries a basket with some little food supplies. Joseph is so solicitous of Mary who needs support. He has his carpenter tools with him—a hand saw strapped to his backpack. The house up the road on the left might be the start of the small village where they will spend the night.
Are you thinking of the young families fleeing Kyiv (Kiev), carrying what they can, ahead of the bombs and shells being thrown into their beautiful city. Fleeing the chaos, husbands escort their wives and the small children to trains headed west. They then return to the city to fight off the invaders. What sad news images.
Perhaps the church-congregation sings the beautiful song Bernadette Farrell has composed: Christ be our light. The verses are so apt for these days and as we consider this remarkable painting at the start of another of Lent.
Click here to listen to Chris Brunelle sing this song.
