Today's Gospel in Art - The Feast of Saint Monica

Saints Augustine and Monica, by Ary Scheffer 1854 © National Gallery, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 27th August 2021 - Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told this parable to his disciples: 'The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, "The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him." At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, "Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out." But they replied, "There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves." They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. "Lord, Lord," they said "open the door for us." But he replied, "I tell you solemnly, I do not know you." So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.'

Reflection on the Painting

As we celebrate Saint Monica today, I want to share this painting which is in the National Gallery in London, depicting Saint Monica with her son, Saint Augustine. I am not sure whether I like this painting or not, as there is a certain coldness and rigidity emanating from the composition, yet the tenderness of holding hands and their focussed look to the heavens is captivating.

The painter, Ary Scheffer, painted the episode recounted by Saint Augustine in his Confessions. Saint Augustine recalled sitting with his mother Monica shortly before her death and discussing the kingdom of heaven. Our painting, for which the artist used his own mother as the model for Saint Monica, was a great success when first shown. It is a painting of eloquent simplicity in which the holy mother and her son simply sit side-by-side, hand-in-hand staring contemplatively towards heaven.

She had her hands full with Saint Augustine before his conversion. Monica was distressed to learn that her son became a follower of the Manichean heresy and was living a rather immoral life. For a while, she even refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. In a vision, she was assured that her son would return to the faith. From that time on, she stayed close to her son, praying for him. Our painting does convey the sense of divine mystery they both shared and portrays the love between a mother and son.

As my mother is called Monique, I especially want to wish her a happy feast day today.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/911
Christian Art - https:/www.christian.art