Christian Art Today - The Lord said: Martha, Martha

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary by Henryk Siemiradzki, 1886 © Russian Museum, St Petersburg

Gospel of 21st July 2019 - Luke 10: 38-42

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered: 'Martha, Martha,' he said 'you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.'

Reflection on the Painting

Look at the amazing light in this painting and the shadows it throws on the stone surfaces, on Christ's cloak and on the skilfully painted carpet at the front which invites you right into the painting. Hendryk Siemiradzki was a Polish painter who mastered the technique of playing with light in a masterful way. Light is not just important in painterly compositions, but also in our approach to reading the Gospels.

To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/118