Gospel in Art: Why look among the dead for someone who is alive

Resurrection by Piero della Francesca

Source: Christian Art

Easter Sunday - 17 April 2022

John 20:1-9

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb' she said 'and we don't know where they have put him.'

So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Reflection on the Fresco

The Lord is risen! Alleluia, alleluia!

Our fresco depicting the Resurrection is by Piero della Francesca and shows Christ as both man (the bleeding wounds) and God (the triumphant, sculptural pose). Jesus' stern look aims straight at the viewer. By portraying Jesus as having one foot on the tomb, Piero della Francesca conveys how Christ conquered death. He is standing over four sleeping soldiers. The fresco should be read from left to right: the bare mature trees on the left now become (though the resurrection of Christ) the young, green, blossoming trees on the right. Also note the fertile landscape on the right compared to the left. The sleeping soldier in brown armour on Christ's right is a self-portrait of the artist.

The flourishing trees on the right symbolise exactly what today's feast is about: the renovation of humanity through the Resurrection of Christ. Today is a new birth for all of us. But this renewal in our hearts is a slow process. Whilst the resurrection is a seismic, game-changing event in our faith, the effects are slow to set in. Look at the disciples. Had they all believed immediately that Jesus had risen, everything would have been transformed there and then. But God works away silently. He is patient. He takes his time. To believe in the Resurrection is to chose a path of gradual growth - something that takes our whole life. Our faith is not the work of a single moment but the work of a lifetime.

Happy Easter to you all

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art

Today's picture: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-20-1-9-2022/