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| The Annunciation by John Collier |
It's hard to believe that the last Sunday of Advent comes this weekend! This is one of the rare years when we have four full weeks of Advent, with Christmas falling on a Sunday.
In this Sunday's first lesson, King David laments that he lives in a palace while the Lord lives in a tent (where the Ark of the Covenant was kept). This choice of scripture may seem odd until you take a look at the day's gospel text from Luke: the story of the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel's message to Mary that she will bear the Christ child in her womb. While a tent housed the Ark in David's time, Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant: Christ tenting among his people by finding his first home in Mary's womb. The second lesson, from Romans, speaks of "the mystery kept secret for long ages" but now revealed in Christ.
For this Sunday's scriptures and brief commentary on them, check here. Are you bringing children to Mass this weekend? Here you'll find hints for helping young ones prepare to hear the Word.
And here are both a video of John Collier speaking about his painting (above), The Annunciation and a widget with a variety of recordings of the Basque carol, Gabriel's Message.
John Collier's "Annunciation" from Carol Reynolds on Vimeo.
And here is the gospel in song!
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Thanks for this- really informative and enlightening too to get the mini-background for the readings.
ReplyDeleteWhen the artist talks about the perfection in Mary and the distancing that can engender I can relate to that on many levels.
I am not sure if the painting gets me any closer but the idea is a good one. There are many issues I have when it comes to the legacy we are handed on via church teachings and the role of women is one huge area of contention for me. The painting has a strong effect on me but some of it makes me feel uncomfortable. Sorry, I can't explain it in a combox.
Blessings