Gospel in Art: Can a blind man lead a blind man?

Blind Homer led by the Genius of Poetry, Edward Sheffield Bartholomew,1851 © Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 12 September 2025
Luke 6:39-42

At that time: Jesus told his disciples a parable: 'Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, "Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye", when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.'

Reflection on the Sculpted Relief

Jesus often teaches with images that are vivid, even a little humorous, precisely so they stay in our minds. We might think of the picture of a camel trying to squeeze through the eye of a needle. In today's Gospel, He gives us another almost comic scene: someone walking around with a log sticking out of their eye. We know how irritating a speck of dust or a splinter can be, so the idea of a whole plank is absurd. But the exaggeration makes the point clear: we are often quick to notice the tiniest flaw in others while being blind to the far greater faults within ourselves.

This image flows into Jesus' warning about the blind leading the blind. If we are blind to our own sins and weaknesses, we are in no position to guide anyone else; we risk leading both ourselves and others astray. What Jesus calls for is humility: to see ourselves truthfully, to seek God's light for our own blindness, and only then to help others walk in the same light. True discipleship begins not with judging others but with allowing Christ to open our own blinded eyes.

Edward Sheffield Bartholomew's relief of Blind Homer Led by the Genius of Poetry, offers a striking visual dialogue with today's Gospel. Bartholomew, one of several American neoclassical sculptors working in Italy in the mid-19th century, shows the great poet Homer, blind and vulnerable, being guided safely by the figure of Poetry. Both figures are clothed in classical drapery, the image balanced between realism and idealism, a hallmark of the neo-classical period. In our sculpted relief, Homer is not left to wander alone. He is guided by Poetry, an image of the inspiration that gives direction and clarity. So he could let himself be led by Poetry. In the same way, Jesus invites us to let ourselves be led by God's wisdom and other people who are good for us... but we need to choose them carefully.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-6-39-42-2025/