Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Paul Miki & Companions

The Joyful Martyrs of Nagasaki. Unknown artist. 18c © Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 6 February 2024
Mark 7:1-13

The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat without first sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups and pots and bronze dishes. So these Pharisees and scribes asked him, 'Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders but eat their food with unclean hands?' He answered, 'It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:

This people honours me only with lip-service, while their hearts are far from me.

The worship they offer me is worthless, the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.

You put aside the commandment of God to cling to human traditions.' And he said to them, 'How ingeniously you get round the commandment of God in order to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said: Do your duty to your father and your mother, and, Anyone who curses father or mother must be put to death. But you say, "If a man says to his father or mother: Anything I have that I might have used to help you is Corban (that is, dedicated to God), then he is forbidden from that moment to do anything for his father or mother." In this way you make God's word null and void for the sake of your tradition which you have handed down. And you do many other things like this.'

Reflection on the Painting

St Paul Miki was born into a wealthy Japanese family, and was educated by the Jesuits in Azuchi and Takatsuki. Being drawn to the religious life and having a deep love for Jesus, he joined the Society of Jesus. He became a well-known and successful preacher. He was responsible for gaining large numbers of converts to Catholicism.

The Japanese leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi was fearful of the Jesuit's influence and intentions. He began to persecute Catholics to curb the growth and success of the Jesuit's work. Paul Miki was jailed along with many others. He and his fellow Catholics were forced to march 600 miles from Kyoto to Nagasaki. All the while marching, he and the others sang the Te Deum, "Thee, O God, We Praise".

On arriving in Nagasaki, the city with the largest Catholic population in Japan, Paul Miki was crucified on February 5, 1597. He preached his last sermon from the Cross, and it is maintained that he forgave his executioners, stating that he himself was Japanese. Crucified along with St Paul Miki were Joan Soan de Goto' and Santiago Kisai. They were both from the Society of Jesus. As well as the three mentioned, 23 other Clergy and laity were crucified that day. Pope Pius IX canonized all of them as saints of the Church in 1862. St Paul Miki is the Patron Saint of Japan and his Feast Day is celebrated on February 6th.

We don't know exactly who painted our late 18th century painting. It is a rare depiction of Saint Paul Miki and his companions. Naively painted, it yet holds a very honest feel to it. The Church has always embraced all forms and all levels of art, from the magnificent to the naive and simple. Our canvas may be a more simple painting, yet it conveys as much poignancy and power as some of the more well known artists.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-7-1-13-2024/