Gospel in Art: Protect them from the evil one

Pilgrims Crossing, by Guy Combes, Painted in 2016, Gouache on paper © Guy Combes

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 12 May 2024
John 17:11-19

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

'Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name.

I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world.

I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.'

Reflection on the gouache on paper

There was a billionaire in the United States who wanted build a private zoo in his gardens and to fill it with the rarest of animals. He also wanted a highly sought after species of gazelle that is found in Africa. Upon telling friends and contacts in Africa what type of gazelle he wanted, they all told him it was an impossible task. Gazelles are simply too smart and too fast to be caught. It became a challenge for the man and he decided to go to Africa to catch the gazelles himself. He set up camp and, knowing that gazelles like sweet things, he started to put sweetened food out for them every night. After the first night, he put up one pole, the second night another pole, the third night, a third pole, and so on. The gazelles came back every night, not paying attention to there being a new pole each night. After a few weeks, the man put fencing between the first pole and the second pole; the next night between the second and the third pole, etc… again the gazelles didn't pay any attention, coming back for their sweet food every night… until one night, the last fence between the two last poles went in. They were trapped. The man had fenced them in: he had succeeded in trapping them.

Our story exemplifies the insidious nature of temptation, as the adversary cunningly wants to lure us into his snares. Unbeknown to us, we may find ourselves ensnared, much like the unsuspecting gazelles. Thus, it is important to take notice of the plea in our Gospel passage for safeguarding against the evil one.

The gouache painting of gazelles is by Guy Combes, an Arizona-based artist who grew up in Kenya surrounded by wildlife. The gazelles in the top right, wandering into the mist, are especially beautifully rendered.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-17-11-19-2024/