Sometimes Truth Comes to Us Via Poetry, Art, and Music

I love this painting by Luc-Olivier Merson, (1879). If I ever get to Boston I'll make a point of going to see it at the Museum of Fine Arts. Great art inspires not only the mind but the heart, revealing important truths. Sometimes truth doesn't come through argument or profound reasoning, but through poetry, art, and music.

Thinking about St. Joseph

He's the quiet man of Christmas isn't he? We read in Luke that Caesar Augustus calls for a census and that all the men have to go to their town of origin and St. Joseph is of the House of David which requires him to go to Bethlehem. But we hear not one word about what Joseph thought or said. We just know he took Mary and went to Bethlehem where they were turned away from the inn and ended up in a stable or a cave where the animals were kept. What did Joseph and Mary talk about on that long journey to Bethlehem? When they camped at night and looked up at the starlit skies what did they think? We know that Mary pondered things in her heart so they probably didn't prattle on about nothing and I seriously doubt they were gossiping about their neighbors. Did they talk about the mystery of what was happening? Or were they silent like I am when I sit before the monstrance at adoration? What did St. Joseph say to Jesus as He grew? What did they talk about in the carpenter shop as Joseph showed Jesus how to use the tools? What funny stories did he tell? Did he describe the patriarchs and make animal noises when he told Jesus about Noah and the ark?

I plan to think about St. Joseph during these last days of Advent - maybe study his image in art and ponder what this just man was like and what he must have said to Jesus during all those days they spent together. He must have been amazing. After all, like Mary, he was chosen by God for a special role in the Messianic plan. I look forward to asking him about it one day.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

Today's Gospel: The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Pompeo Batoni's painting, Return of the Prodigal Son (1773), is one of my favorites. I love the Father enfolding the boy in his cloak. What a tender gesture. And Betoni makes the father himself and his son take on the shape of the cross. The trim of his cloak makes the cross beam and his head and the son's body make the verticle beam. The band on his hat reminds me of the crown of thorns and his face resembles our Savior's This portrait encapsulates the message of the cross: sorrow, love and forgiveness? The son, like us, kneels at the foot of the cross weeping in repentance for sin. The father, with the face of Jesus looks down in love and forgiveness. Art can touch our hearts with a depth of meaning that takes many words to describe. Pray for poor sinners today. Father, forgive us; we know not what we do. Blessed Jacinta, little victim soul for sinners, pray for us.

St. Augustine, Pray for Us

Yesterday was the feast of St. Monica who prayed many years for the conversion of her son, Augustine. Today we celebrate the saint whose conversion and later life of great holiness were the fruit of those prayers. Thank you, St. Monica, for your persistence. Thank you, St. Augustine, for responding to the graces showered on you.

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.

from The Confessions of Saint Augustine

For more about the saints go to Feast of All Saints

Prayer based on St. Augustine's writing:

O God, You made our hearts for Thee
And ever restless will they be
Until they rest in Thee.

He Is Risen As He Said...

ALLELUIA!