Gospel in Art: Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon

Christ is in the temple of Jerusalem, in the portico of Solomon. By Fr Jerome Nadal and Fr Bernardino Passeri

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 10 May 2022
John 10: 22-30

It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, 'How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus replied:

'I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name are my witness; but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine.

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me.

The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father.

The Father and I are one.'

Reflection the Book Engraving

On the 16th of March we discussed how Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, instructed Father Jerome Nadal (1507-1580) to produce an illustrated Bible. See more here (https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-20-17-28-2022/). Today I am sharing with you another page from Father Nadal's book, Evangelicae Historiae Imagines (or Images of Gospel History).

As with the page we discussed two months ago, we see numbers and letters explaining what is depicted. The number 59 in the top right indicates that this the 59th event of Jesus' life illustrated in this book. The roman numerals underneath refer to the sequence of readings in the liturgical year, according to the Roman Missal of the time. The top title reads 'Feria IIII post Dominicam Passionis', meaning we are in Week 4 after Easter.

The letters then further refer to what is illustrated: A. gives us the location of the Portico of Solomon. B. shows us the Jewish people asking Jesus the question in today's reading: 'If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' E. shows us two men ready to cast stones, etc…

We read in our Gospel how Jesus is being asked questions. People doubt him. But doubt isn't necessarily a bad thing . The opposite to faith is not doubt but certainty. So doubting is what can drive us, guide us, and instil in us a deep desire to learn more. As long as we keep talking to Jesus, our faith will grow.

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art

Today's image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-10-22-30-2022/