Gospel in Art: The whole herd rushed down into the sea and drowned

Orange Marilyn, Painted by Andy Warhol, 1962, © Christie's New York, 15 November 2006, lot 32, sold $16 million

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 2 July 2025
Matthew 8:28-34

At that time: When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, 'What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?' Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, saying, 'If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.' And he said to them, 'Go.' So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

Reflection on the Contemporary Art Painting

Today's Gospel reading of the Gadarene swine has given rise to the adjective 'gadarene', often used to describe something that moves headlong, rapidly, and without control. It is a word that could easily be applied to many aspects of contemporary culture, celebrity culture being a prime example. It often races towards no clear destination, unanchored and unreflective, yet millions are swept along by it. There is, of course, a positive side to this fascination: many of us are curious to understand how someone achieved success; their motivations, sacrifices, and struggles. We can identify with their humanity and admire what they did. But when admiration turns into obsession, it becomes problematic. The relentless pursuit of celebrity trivia can create a distorted sense of value, elevating fame above character.

This obsession is often fed by the endless churn of social media, which brings us ever closer to lives that aren't our own, at the expense of real relationships and meaningful engagement with our own lives. The Gospel story of the Gadarene swine reminds us that Jesus has the power to free us from destructive influences, from those things that enslave, distract, or dehumanise us. It invites us to examine what we might be giving power to in our own lives. What habits, influences, or addictions might be leading us off course?

In the art world, one figure who both celebrated and critiqued celebrity culture was Andy Warhol. He was fascinated by fame and produced iconic images of public figures, particularly through his silkscreen prints. Following Marilyn Monroe's tragic death in 1962, Warhol began a series of portraits that both immortalised and commercialised her image. Orange Marilyn, for instance, radiates with colour and allure, yet behind it lies the haunting reality of her inner turmoil and untimely death. Warhol's work speaks powerfully into our theme: the surface may glitter, but it doesn't always reflect the fragile soul beneath.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-8-28-34-2025/ (with audio)