A church in East Sussex has unveiled a Marcus Cornish bronze statue dubbed "Jesus in jeans" depicting Christ as a man of the 21st century.
Father David Buckley unveiled the £35,000 seven-foot high bronze statue at the Our Lady Immaculate and St Philip Neri Catholic church in Uckfield.
(see the Telegraph article and more at The Argus)
What's your reaction to this sculpture?In your prayer, do you have an image of Jesus? In your image of him, is he dressed as he would have been historically or in a more contemporary fashion?
Would such a sculpture in your church help you to pray?
Would a miniature on your bedroom or living room wall help you to pray?
What images of Jesus (in your imagination or in art) are helps to prayer?
Images: The Argus and Telegraph
-ConcordPastor
My reaction to the sculpture is that I really do like it very much. I don't know that the contemporary dress would help my prayer life more than traditional statues, but there is something about it that is quite compelling.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the articles, particularly the fact that the artist engaged the school children in the process. Also found interesting the other sculptures he has done, one of which is Paddington Bear at Paddington Station!
Rosemary
I often have trouble "keeping it in today", so that said, I really like this image because I think it would help me have and keep an image of Jesus that I can better relate to, or have a much greater chance of keeping him with me all of the time- keeping him with me today- keeping it in today...
ReplyDeleteOne image that is sometimes a help to me is when I am walking I imagine Him walking with me, holding my hand tight... sometimes this is very strong- I can feel Him- and I pray hard that He won't let go...
I have to admit a little bit of bias when I look at this statue. Ever read any of Joseph Girzone's Joshua series of novels? He provides the reader with a detailed physical description of what Joshua, his protagonist who is really Jesus, looks like. And as I looked at this statue, Joshua is immediately who I thought of.
ReplyDeleteThis statue would not help me pray at all. I think the artist has tried too hard to make Jesus "accessible." This is to sacred art what a clown Mass is to liturgy.
ReplyDeleteThe possibility that the Word of God made flesh for our salvation could be made "too accessible..."
ReplyDeleteNow there's something to ponder!
anonymous: I totally respect your opinion and comment- thank you.
ReplyDeletefor me, though, I will (and need to) take any and all help I can get when it comes to my faith, having hope, and getting closer to God...
Concord Pastor, The point was not that Jesus was too accessible, it was that the artist tried too hard to make him accessible, and when one tries too hard, one fails.
ReplyDeleteThe Jesus of the Gospel was one who taught with authority, unlike the teachers in the Temple. His followers called him "Master" and "Teacher." More importantly, he was "a man of sorrows." He didn't aim to please anyone, but rather to save everyone. We read in that "Jesus wept" but never that Jesus
laughed.
This is the Godspell Jesus.
"Anonymous" - I'm not sure who you think is questioning the authority of the Master and Teacher or claiming that he aimed to please anyone. But certainly there's nothing in the scriptures to lead us believe that Jesus, who was fully human, didn't laugh.
ReplyDeleteJesus is faceless when I pray to him. When I feel His presence it is warmth and fullness inside. I feel His friendship. He laughs and cries with me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am at church I look at the crucifix and that is the symbol that represents His love for me and all that he did not me.
I am not sure that I see Jesus in this statue, but I do not know how I would draw or describe Him for someone else to draw or sculpt. All I know is
Thank you so much for sharing because I will now think about this today to see if I might be able to describe Him.
Teacher.
I like it
ReplyDeleteI saw a closeup shot of this statute on another blog. A poster pointed out that this "Jesus in Jeans" doesn't have any wound marks in his hands or feet. I wonder if that is an oversight of the sculptor, or whether it is to make a point.
ReplyDeleteIf it's to make a point, I think it's wrong, since all depictions of the Risen Christ throughout history have shown the marks of the crucifixion.
Compelling and embracing. Like it. Love Him.
ReplyDelete