Today's Gospel in Art - David himself calls him Lord

David, by Michelangelo. Sculpted between 1501 and 1504© Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4th June 2021 - Mark 12:35-37

At that time while teaching in the Temple, Jesus said, 'How can the scribes maintain that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, moved by the Holy Spirit, said:

The Lord said to my Lord:

Sit at my right hand

and I will put your enemies

under your feet.

David himself calls him Lord, in what way then can he be his son?' And the great majority of the people heard this with delight.

Reflection on the Sculpture

Today's artwork is probably the most obvious one to go for when thinking of David. It is a simply breathtaking work of art. It was sculpted between 1501 and 1504, when Michelangelo was only 26 years old. Unlike most other renaissance sculptures depicting David, this sculpture does not include the head of Goliath at David's feet. We see David depicted before the actual battle. His gaze is focussed and full of resolve. In the statue's original location outside the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the gaze of David was also fixed towards Rome, which at the time was one of Florence's main rivals. David's brow is drawn, his neck tense, and the veins bulge out of his lowered right hand. He is ready for action and ready to take on Goliath. The twist of his body also conveys that he is about to move toward his target. Yet he looks relaxed as well, confident in his mission.

Our Gospel passage has to be read in light of knowing that the Jewish people at the time thought that the Messiah would be a physical descendant of King David. Jews were convinced that the Christ would be a great ruler, a king or military figure who would deliver Israel from its oppressors. Jesus tells them today that they were not entirely wrong, as yes, Jesus is ruler; yes, He came to conquer; yes, He is king… but not in the way they thought! They thought that the Messiah would just be human. But Jesus goes on teaching them that the Messiah is not only human but also divine.

Just as David is patiently gazing into the distance waiting to strike his enemy, so is Jesus patiently waiting for people to convert their hearts, and waiting to show us the way of the cross… They share resolve and focus on mission. God preserved David wherever he went. He was with David, leading him, guiding him, and ultimately giving him the victory! Jesus' victory is different. The Victory was already His when He came into this world…

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/826
Christian Art - www.christian.art