Today's Gospel in Art - Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me

Suffer the Little Children come to Me, by Juliaan de Vriendt, 1923 © Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp

Gospel of 28th September 2020 - Luke 9:46-50

An argument started between the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his side and then said to them, 'Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.'

John spoke up. 'Master,' he said 'we saw a man casting out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.' But Jesus said to him, 'You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.'

Reflection on the Painting

Jesus turned the whole social ladder upside down: humble servants were to be the most honoured; the poor were the ones most to be served; children were the ones most to be admired for their purity of heart, etc. Jesus explains in our reading today that in the Kingdom of Heaven, the highest rank goes to those who will serve the most.

Our reading starts with an argument between the disciples about which of them was the greatest. A childish argument. Hence, Jesus zooms in on this childish behaviour and uses the example of a child to make His point. He points to the dependence of the child as a model we should all live by. Like a child is dependent on its parents, we should be dependent on on God. Remember our reading today follows on from Jesus just having told the disciples that He was going to betrayed. And now he sees his disciples fighting for power - a very strange argument to have just after the Lord told them he was going to be betrayed. No wonder, Jesus makes the strong point that they are called to serve, not to dominate!

Our painting is by Belgian painter, Juliaan de Vriendt. It shows Jesus surrounded by children and getting their full attention. They are not fighting for power. They are simply happy and joyful in His presence. A gentle glow is emanating from Jesus, set in front of a fruiting vine tree. The top left shows a desert-like landscape, making the point that people travelled from far afield to find Jesus. They went through deserts and hardship to be in His presence… and be joyful.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/558

Christian Art - www.christian.art