Gospel in Art: In the beginning was the Word

The Rocket, by Edward Middleton Manigault, 1909 © Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 31 December 2024
John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness about him, and cried out, 'This was he of whom I said, "He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me." '

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only begotten God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Reflection on the painting

Today marks the final day of the year, yet the gospel reading does not speak of endings but of beginnings. The opening words of John's gospel, 'In the beginning was the Word', take us to a moment before creation, beyond the boundaries of time! This "beginning" refers to the eternal presence of God, through whom everything was brought into being. 'All things were made through him' reminds us that all of creation speaks of God. These verses reveal the inherent goodness of creation and its ability to reflect something of the divine. This is what is so powerful about art, as it can reflect something of the divine too.

Christianity has embraced art over the past 2,000 years as a powerful means of reflecting the divine and us into a deeper encounter with the mystery of our faith. Art serves as a visual theology, making the invisible visible, whether through the beauty of a crucifix, the radiance of a stained glass window, or the grandeur of an altarpiece. By engaging the senses and emotions, Christian art draws us into contemplation, offering a glimpse of heavenly realities and the transcendence of God. It communicates truths of faith in ways that words alone cannot, transcending language and culture to touch the soul. From Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel to the simplicity of a rural church mural, Christian art invites us to journey inward, to encounter the divine; and a journey upward, towards God.

Thank you all for reading these daily reflections over the past year. My aim has always been to use art as a gateway into the beauty and depth of our faith, inviting us to encounter God's presence in fresh and inspiring ways. As we step into 2025, let us continue to let art open our hearts and draw us ever closer to the divine. For now, I leave you with my warmest wishes for your New Year's Eve celebrations. Whether you celebrate with family, friends, or spend the evening alone in quiet reflection, may God's blessings surround you tonight and guide you through the year ahead.

As some of your may be attending fireworks or watching them on your television sets, I leave you with a painting titled The Rocket. Painted in 1909 by Edward Middleton Manigault, depicts a fireworks display over water, in the fall of 1909 on the Hudson River. The painting shows Fauvist colour palette. In the middle of a radiant circle of light reflecting on the water, a boat can be seen, filled with people viewing the fireworks from the river. The painting reflects Manigault's fascination with the possibilities of abstraction.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-1-1-18-2024/