Gospel in Art: There will be signs in sun and moon and stars

The Creation of Sun, Moon and stars San Marco, Venice, 1215-1235 narthex, mosaic tesserae ©Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 27 November 2025
Luke 21:20-28

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

'And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.'

Reflection on the Mosaics

The Gospel readings at this time of year can feel rather sombre, at least on first hearing. We are approaching the final days of the Church's liturgical calendar, with the new year beginning this Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent. As the Church year draws to a close, the Gospel passages reflect on dramatic endings: the destruction of Jerusalem and even the end of the cosmos as we know it.

However, alongside these endings, Jesus speaks of comings, particularly his own Second Coming as the glorious Son of Man, bringing liberation to those who await him. Just as it seems that everything is falling apart, a new reality begins to emerge. The final chapter will not be one of destruction but of renewal and liberation for all.

There is a striking cosmological dimension in our Gospel reading, as Jesus refers to the sun, moon, and stars, highlighting the upheaval of the natural order. These celestial signs symbolise cosmic disturbances that accompany the Second Coming of the Son of Man. It reflects the profound interconnectedness between earthly events and the heavens. Our early 13th century mosaic illustrates Day 4 of Creation, when the sun, moon and stars were created. It features in San Marco, Venice. Note how the artist has given a human face to the sun and moon, which is very sweet.

Created during Venice's height as a powerful maritime republic, these mosaics cover vast areas of the basilica's interior. The artists who installed the early 13th-century mosaics in the Basilica of San Marco in Venice were a combination of Byzantine-trained craftsmen and local Venetian artisans. Venice had strong cultural and trade ties with the Byzantine Empire, particularly Constantinople, which influenced the artistic techniques and iconography used in these mosaics.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-21-20-28-2025/
and
Video: The Art of Remembrance - From The Monuments Men to The Last Post: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53644