Gospel in Art: They do not practise what they preach

Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen by Vincent Van Gogh © Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 23 August 2025
Matthew 23:1-12

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practise. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.'

Reflection on the painting

For those of us who preach regularly, including myself, today's Gospel offers a sobering challenge. Jesus speaks of the religious leaders of His time, telling the crowd to listen to their words but not to follow their example, because "they do not practise what they preach." That warning places a particular responsibility on anyone who proclaims the Gospel: our lives must reflect the message we speak. Jesus goes on to condemn leaders who pile unnecessary burdens on others without lifting a finger to help. Such behaviour distorts the very heart of His teaching. The Gospel was never meant to weigh people down; rather, it is meant to set us free. The Gospel does not drain life from us; it deepens it. When we live it fully, we become more alive and, in turn, bring life to those around us. That is the responsibility of any preacher or leader: to help the Gospel take root and become the daily bread that sustains each of us.

This life-giving way is not something we sustain by our own strength alone. One of the key ways He strengthens us is through the faith community to which we belong. It is there, in the fellowship of believers, that the Spirit often works most powerfully: encouraging, guiding, and supporting us. As today's Gospel reminds us, we are all brothers and sisters under one Father in heaven, and all disciples of one Teacher, Christ Himself.

The community is in the heart of all we are and do as Christians. Our painting, Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen by Vincent Van Gogh, captures a quiet moment as worshippers are leaving the village church where Vincent van Gogh's father served as pastor for the local community. At the time, Vincent himself was discerning a vocation in ministry, following in his father's footsteps, before ultimately realising his calling would take another form. Instead of preaching with words, he would preach through painting! It is an early canvas, created before the vivid, expressive bursts of colour that would come to define his later style during his years in France. Here, the palette remains muted and earthy, the brushwork restrained, offering an intimate glimpse of both village life and Van Gogh's own early search for purpose when he was in his early thirties.

At the moment we are filming a new video on Van Gogh's Sunflowers which will be released early September.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-23-1-12-2025-2/