Gospel in Art: Maundy Thursday - At the moment you do not know what I am doing

No. 301 (Reds & Violet over Red/Red & Blue over Red), Mark Rothko, 1959 © Alamy Images / MOCA Gallery, LA California

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 28 March 2024
John 13:1-15

It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.

They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus answered, 'At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.' 'Never!' said Peter 'You shall never wash my feet.' Jesus replied, 'If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.' 'Then, Lord,' said Simon Peter 'not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!' Jesus said, 'No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.' He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, 'though not all of you are.'

When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. 'Do you understand' he said 'what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other's feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.'

Reflection on the Painting

Understanding the full significance of certain events often requires the passage of time. In the moment, as the events unfold, their true meaning often eludes us. It's only with the benefit of hindsight, after we've moved beyond the immediate context of these happenings, that we can look back and comprehend their deeper implications. This retrospective view offers us insights that are simply unattainable in the midst of the experience. The same can apply in art. At the time when an artist has painted a work, it is often not understood or can even be misunderstood. Only years later, when a 'retrospective' of the artist's work is organised, can we understand what the artist wanted to convey and how important his or her oeuvre is.

This notion is poignantly illustrated in this evening's gospel reading. After Jesus washes his disciples' feet, he tells Peter, 'At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand'. Initially, Peter couldn't grasp the significance of Jesus's actions; his strong resistance was a testament to his confusion. However, it was only after Jesus's death, resurrection, and the descent of the Holy Spirit that Peter and the other disciples came to understand the profound lesson of servitude and love embodied in Jesus's act of washing their feet. The retrospective view helped them to finally make sense of things.

The retrospective exhibition of an artist, especially after their passing, serves as a lens through which we can more fully comprehend the essence of their body of work and the intentions that lay behind it. At the time, an artist's work might be met with confusion, skepticism, or outright misunderstanding. The true depth of vision and the nuances of the artist's message often remain obscured by contemporary biases. However, with the distance provided by time and the finality of the artist's oeuvre sealed by death, a retrospective offers a unique opportunity for reevaluation and deeper understanding. Moreover, the passing of an artist often liberates their work from the immediate contexts that may have constrained its reception.

I recently saw a retrospective on Mark Rothko. It was a magnificent display encompassing his whole oeuvre. After seeing his body of work, I understood it much better; it opened up for me the artist's importance. I thought I would therefore simply show a blood red, a Passion red Rothko canvas for today. The Passion of Our Lord is upon us....

And this gets foretold already in our reading today. On the cross Jesus laid down his life for his disciples and for all of humanity. In laying down his garments to wash the feet of his disciples, Jesus was anticipating that laying down of his life for them and for all of us... tomorrow afternoon.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-13-1-15-2024/
Competition: The Laudamus Award 2024 for Sacred Art - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49310