Gospel in Art: What about us?

Spirit, Digital Artwork by Philip McKay, 2022 Digital Art © Philip McKay Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 30 May 2023
Mark 10:28-31

At that time Peter began to tell Jesus, 'What about us? We have left everything and followed you.' Jesus said, 'I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land - not without persecutions - now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.

'Many who are first will be last, and the last first.'

Reflection on the digital artwork

Today's Gospel reading follows on immediately from the story in which a rich man walked away from Jesus, saddened because he was unable to respond to Jesus' call to leave everything and follow him. Witnessing this, Peter at the beginning of today's gospel reading asks Jesus, 'What about us?' Jesus assures the disciples that, having left everything, they will receive far more than they have left behind, both in this life and in the next life. Jesus always calls us to go beyond the world that is familiar to us and beyond the comforts we have created around us. There has to be an element of self-dying before we can be self-giving.

Today's Gospel reading reminded me of the digital artwork by Philip McKay. Before the tree could give its leaves, it had to grow them and nurture them. The leaves that have been shed will make way for new leaves, new life. All of us who want to be close to Christ have something to give up, so that we can have new life in Christ. That will demand further sacrifices which will be life-giving again.... Such are the dynamics of the Christian faith. That is exactly what Peter gets told in today's gospel reading: all the things you have shed and left behind will give you new life.

Philip McKay started making digital artworks in 1996. Based in Liverpool, he is heavily influenced by René Magritte and the surrealists. On his website (click here to access) - you can see many works which are surreal in nature, but yet very spiritual.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: Christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-10-28-31-2023/