Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist

Saint Luke Painting the Virgin, by Giorgio Vasari, 1565, Fresco © Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 18 October 2022
Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowds:

'No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed. No, he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in. For nothing is hidden but it will be made clear, nothing secret but it will be known and brought to light. So take care how you hear; for anyone who has will be given more; from anyone who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.'

Reflection on the fresco

The closer we are to Christ, the more we will avoid sin. So if we want to avoid sin, we have to try to grow closer to Christ in love. Those are the dynamics of the Christian life. That is why our faith is all engaging and asks for us to see every aspect of our daily lives through the lens of faith.

Easier said than done, but the more we love Christ, the more things will be 'made clear' and 'brought to light' as per our Gospel reading.

This deep love for Christ always transpires in the Gospel according to Luke, whose feast day we celebrate today. The Holy Spirit inspired his writings for the sake of our salvation. The way Luke wrote his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles provides a beautiful insight into his love for Christ. Though he never met Jesus personally, we feel he had the most personal relationship with him.

Saint Luke is also the patron saint of artists. Christian tradition, starting from the 8th century, states that Luke was the first icon painter. Especially in the Eastern Church he is considered to be the original iconographer responsible for 'writing' the first icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many painters throughout the centuries have depicted this scene by placing St. Luke in front of an easel, painting a portrait of the Blessed Mother holding the Child Jesus. Our painting by Giorgio Vasari depicts St Luke painting Our Lady, flanked by a winged ox. The ox represents the sacrificial aspect of Jesus' ministry and the wings remind us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ travelled throughout the world. Our fresco is painted in the Chapel of St Luke at the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, Florence, where many artists are buried, including Benvenuto Cellini and Pontormo.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/

Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-8-16-18-2022-2/