Today's Gospel in Art - Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, by Pietro Novelli 1641 © Museo Diocesano di Palermo, Italy

Gospel of 16th July 2020 - Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said, 'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'

Reflection on the Painting

Our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of the titles given to Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living in the Holy Land on Mount Carmel during the 12th century. At the time they built a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady. A continued devotion to Our Lady ensued. Since the 15th century, popular devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has also developed around the Brown Scapular. Traditionally, Mary is said to have given the Scapular to Simon Stock (1165-1265), an early Carmelite. Our painting by Pietro Novelli shows Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Simon Stock, Angelus of Jerusalem, Mary Magdalene de Pazzi and Teresa of Avila.

In our Gospel reading of today Jesus says the lovely words that He is 'gentle and humble in heart'. Often when we look at Christian artworks here, they represent the might of Christ or the awesome power of God. Think of the Sistine Chapel in all its beauty and splendour. But today Jesus is painting a different side, a different picture of Him and His Father: they are gentle with us and patient with us. A proud person thinks the universe revolves around him or her. A gentle person realises life is about the other person. Jesus is not concerned about Himself, but He is concerned about us…

Our Lady of Mount Carmel pray for us.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/484

Christian Art - www.christian.art