Gospel in Art: First Sunday of Advent

The Caritas Ambassadors at St George's Primary School, Enfield by Julieta, Sofia, Martina, Anaya, Lily, Rosie © St George's Primary School, Enfield

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 1 December 2024
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

'But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.'

Reflection on the drawing

I have always enjoyed the season of Advent. It is a particularly brief time, yet intense and deeply hope-giving and joyful. And this year it is a short period, as it is only three and a half weeks till Christmas. Advent often risks being overshadowed, as the anticipation of Christmas begins so early. For at least the past month, the commercial world has been urging us to think about Christmas. Yet, there is great value in embracing Advent fully and marking it meaningfully. This Sunday, several symbols of Advent in our church remind us of its significance: the Advent Wreath and the use of the colour purple, and the simplicity of the altar with limited flowers. Advent carries a sense of quiet reflection, inviting us to prepare thoughtfully for the joyous celebration of Christmas.

I spent my first year as a priest in Enfield, North London, before moving to Westminster Cathedral a couple of months ago. One of the joys of working in Enfield was to visit St. George's Primary School. Some of the young school children, Julieta, Sofia, Martina, Anaya, Lily and Rosie, have been working with the non-profit charity: 'Hands On, Hand Out', to help support the homeless. As part of their social action project, one of the ambassadors, Lily, created a piece of artwork after the Ambassadors were inspired by the phrase, 'Thrive, Not Just Survive' which was used as part of the Caritas Ambassadors programme. The Ambassadors met with me and I showed them two sculptures of the 'Homeless Jesus' by Timothy Schmalz. They reworked the drawing then several times, including the image of Jesus, but in a way that is not so obvious to the observer. Influenced by the words of St. Teresa of Avila, 'Yours are the eyes with which He looks compassion on this world' the Ambassadors wanted to highlight that we should encounter Jesus in every person we meet, as we are all brothers and sisters. This echoes the words of the Hands On, Hand Out charity, who remind us that our homeless friends are 'someone's mother, father, nan, grandad, son, daughter and so on. Everybody matters, whatever their situation or circumstance.'

The children of St. George's Primary School hope that everyone in the world views our homeless friends with the dignity that they are born with. They want our homeless friends to have a good quality of life and to 'thrive not just survive'. The inclusion of the candle in the artwork reminds us that Jesus brings hope where there is darkness. especially as we light the first candles on our Advent wreaths today.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-21-25-28-34-36/