Gospel in Art: Men have shown they prefer darkness to the light

The Nativity at Night, by Geertgen tot Sint Jans (1465-1495), 1490 © National Gallery, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 10 April 2024
John 3:16-21

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

'God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.

For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused to believe in the name of God's only Son.

On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God.'

Reflection on the painting

Our painting, set in darkness, at night time, is a captivating scene where we see rays of light emanating from the baby Jesus. The bright, divine, shining light bursts out from him and illuminates the gentle face of the Virgin Mary, who is leaning over the crib beside the enchanted angels to the left. The ox and donkey peer out of the darkness; Saint Joseph discreetly stands in the background. The shepherds and some sheep are setting up for the night up on the hills, gathered around a fire. They gaze up in awe at the angel of light in the sky above them. Whilst this painting tells the traditional Christmas story, it is a most appropriate painting for our Gospel reading of today, illustrating masterfully how the divine light emerging from the Newborn lit up the world's darkness…

And it is true, the world can often feel like a dark place. As Jesus rightfully points out, 'Men have shown they prefer darkness to the light'. John often masterfully writes about light and darkness. But deep down we are meant for light. It makes us happy that we are noticing a longer period of light in the evenings these days. All of a sudden it is bright beyond 7.00 pm. It fills us with a basic joy, knowing that daylight is lengthening every day at this time of the year. John is referring in his reading not to daylight but to the one who declares himself to be the light of the world. We too should be filled with joy as we move closer to his light.

But for so many of us, our faith can actually grow the most in moments of darkness. Why is it that dark times can become pivotal moments that mark our lives and even shape our future? Not sure there is an adequate reply to this question. It is often only after times of trial that we can get some level of understanding and begin to see how God was present in those moments. Difficult moments can expand our hearts, and enable us to value all the good things in life which maybe we ignored when things were going well.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-3-16-21-2024/
Competition: The Laudamus Award 2024 for Sacred Art - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49310