Today's Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint John Henry Newman

John Henry Newman by William Thomas Roden © Manchester Art Gallery

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 9th October 2021 - Matthew 13:47-52

Jesus said to the crowds: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

'Have you understood all this?' They said, 'Yes.' And he said to them, 'Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.'

Reflection on the Painting

This frontal three-quarter length portrait of Cardinal John Henry Newman was painted by William Thomas Roden around 1874. We see Cardinal Newman portrayed as an elderly, white-haired man, wearing a cassock according to the Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri which he established in England. The Cardinal is seated in a plain wooden armchair with curved back, against a neutral brown graduated background. Both his hands are resting on his right knee and he is gazing quietly off to the left. It is a pensive portrait, almost with a touch of melancholy. Of all the Newman portraits, this is probably one of my favourite ones.

Today we celebrate Cardinal Newman's feast day. I would like to share with you a link to a series of podcasts which the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales put together. The podcasts give a good insight into the breadth of Newman's teaching and preaching by way of reflections from people who have been inspired by him. Click here to access the podcasts.

Today's Gospel reading about the nets being thrown into the sea in order to catch fish of every kind tells us that as a church we have to attract everyone. Our Church is a church made up of good people, of sinners, of liberals, conservatives, traditionalists, innovators, passive people, active people, etc… That is the beauty of Christ's church. Jesus has cast His nets and we are lovingly caught into His good care. That is the drama of the Christian life in our church, that we all have to work together for His glory, even if we have differing views. Cardinal Newman said that 'to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often'. We can all help each other to change, and change often….

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/954
Christian Art - www.christian.art/