Gospel in Art: We have left everything and followed you

Scene from the Life of St Benedict: the Poisoned Cup of Wine, by Philippe de Champaigne, 1645 © Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 July 2023
Matthew 19:27-29

Peter spoke to Jesus. 'What about us?' he said. 'We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?' Jesus said to him, 'I tell you solemnly, when all is made new and the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory, you will yourselves sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the feast day of Saint Benedict, a man who truly as in today's Gospel reading 'left everything to follow Christ'. He was born circa 480AD to a wealthy family in the region of Umbria in Italy. After a youth of privilege and decadence, he met a monk called Romanus of Subiaco, who convinced him to change his ways and to live alone in a cave near Subiaco's monastery for three years, to demonstrate his commitment to his Christian faith. Romanus checked in on the young Benedict on a regular basis and when the three years were served, Benedict was given the call to become abbot for the fifteen monks who lived in the monastery. Benedict assumed control of the monastery and insisted that his monks follow the strictest manner of worship and mission. Some of the monks became seriously upset by all his demands, and out of their disillusionment came a conspiracy to kill Benedict by poisoning his wine. As he blessed his wine cup, it shattered, saving his life. This is the moment depicted in our painting today: we see the rather shocked monks who had conspired to kill Benedict looking on in disbelief. The broken cup is in the middle of the floor. It was a turning point. Thereafter, they all fell in line and appreciated St Benedict for who he was, a saint.

I was educated at a Benedictine school near Ghent, Belgium, from the age of 11 till 18. The quiet witnessing of the monks there remains with me. A realisation was instilled in me then that true happiness won't be achieved through self-gratification, but only through fidelity to Our Lord. That is easier said than done though. Each of us has to discover what plans God has for us. On this feast day of St Benedict, I keep all the Benedictine monks in my prayers.

Community was a key feature of Benedict's monastic vision, and he stressed the value of community life as a school for holiness. He saw the community as a place of equality where each person was helped by everyone else along the path of holiness. That is also what parish life is invited to be: living our faith as part of a wider community.

"Almighty God, give me wisdom to perceive You,

intelligence to understand You, diligence to seek You,

patience to wait for You, eyes to behold You,

a heart to meditate upon You and life to proclaim You,

through the power of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

- A prayer by St Benedict

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-19-27-29-2023/