Gospel in Art: Where two or three meet in my name, I shall be with them

Interior of Saint Bavo, Haarlem, by Pieter Jansz, Saenredam, 1631 © Philadelphia Museum of Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 10 September 2023
Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples: 'If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.

'I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.

'I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.'

Reflection on the painting

We can often be obsessed by numbers, and that is true even within the context of the church. We check how many are coming to Mass or how many are signing up for an event, a catechetical programme, a prayer group or a ministry. Jesus' way of looking at things is somewhat different to ours. Numbers did not seem to be an issue for him. He understood the value of the one. For example, he spoke of the shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep to go in the search of the one who was lost. In this morning's gospel reading he declares that where two or three are gathered in his name, he is there in the midst of them.

The smallest gathering in a tiny parish room is just as significant as the huge congregation in one of the great cathedrals or basilicas of the world. In these days of declining numbers within the church, the Gospel teaches us to appreciate the significance of those present, regardless of how few, rather than allowing ourselves to become too discouraged by those who are not present. Of course this doesn't mean that we can become complacent and not try to attract the larger numbers, but somehow today's reading may make us feel somewhat more accepting of the decline in the numbers of those attending church. If we are open and responsive to the Lord's presence among us, few though we may be, he will draw others to himself through us, and that will ignite a new generation of churchgoers.

Our painting from 1631 by Dutch artist Pieter Saenredam shows the interior of a Calvinist church. The church is painted as being a rather blank, sterile space with white walls, clear glass windows, and a notable lack of decoration and colour. Even though this type of church interior painting became largely emblematic of what Dutch Calvinist sacred spaces were like, it coveys a somewhat similar feeling when we go to churches nowadays, where there is a sense of emptiness largely fuelled by the lack of church attendance.

Many of my friends tell me that they believe in God but don't feel the need to go to church. However, autonomous Christianity doesn't really work, because our faith life was designed by God to be a community project.

I will leave you with a quotation by Scottish theologian James Denney (1856 -1917) that I recently came across:

When you were born, your mother brought you to church.

When you were married, your wife brought you to church.

When you die, your friends will bring you to church.

Why not try coming to church on your own sometime?

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-18-15-20-2023-2/