Gospel in Art: Knock, and it will be opened to you

L'embellie (The Improvement), by René Magritte, 1962 © Christie's London, 25 Jun 2002, lot 34, sold £831,650

Source: Christian Art,

Gospel of 27 July 2025
Luke 11:1-13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.' And he said to them, 'When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'

And he said to them, 'Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey and I have nothing to set before him"; and he will answer from within, "Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything"? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'

Reflection on the painting

In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus offers advise on how to pray. When His disciples ask, "Lord, teach us to pray," He responds not only with the words of the Our Father, but also with images that speak to the heart. Jesus speaks to us constantly in images. Art and imagery are indeed very powerful ways to convey the message of the Gospel. Today Jesus shares the image of a door: "Knock, and the door will be opened to you." In just a few words, Jesus reveals something essential about God: that he is waiting on the other side of the door, and waiting for us to open it; he never forces His way in as He respects our freedom.

A door, by nature, is a threshold: it marks a passage from the familiar into the unknown, from one space into another. Jesus uses this image to suggest that prayer is an act of courage and trust: when we open that door ever so slightly, we may not know exactly what lies beyond, but we trust that God will lead us. And unlike earthly doors, God's door carries no lock. We knock and he opens. Even the smallest opening of the door is enough for His light to shine through. Christ is not only the one behind the door, waiting to receive us - He IS the door!

Our painting by René Magritte we see an open door standing in a dimly lit, greyish foreground. The space in front of the door feels flat and colourless and even subdued. But through the doorway, a completely different world is revealed: a glowing, golden light pours in from beyond, illuminating the threshold with warmth and life. The contrast is striking, from shadow to light, from dullness to brilliance. This image beautifully mirrors the invitation of today's Gospel reading: "Knock, and the door will be opened to you."The painting suggests that while the world we inhabit may at times feel heavy or uninspired, just beyond the threshold lies something radiant, something better. Our faith will make us see 'this something better'. Christ standing behind that door will truly transform our ordinary existence into something deeply meaningful.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-11-1-13-2025/

Latest Video - The Face of Christ: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52811