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Gospel in Art

Today's Gospel in Art.


Gospel in Art: Your Father knows what you need before you ask him

The Virgin in Prayer  by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato,   Painted 1640-1650  © National Gallery, London, UK

Gospel of 18 June 2026 Matthew 6:7-15 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'When you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then, like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as... Read More


Gospel in Art: Beware of practising your righteousness before other people

Beggars in India, Gujarat, Baroda (Vadodara),  by Henri Cartier-Bresson,  1948 © Henri Cartier-Bresson/Magnum Photos

Gospel of 17 June 2026 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 'Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by othe... Read More


Gospel in Art: Pray for those who persecute you

Nero's Torches,  by Henryk Hektor Siemiradzki,  1878  © National Museum, Krakow

Gospel of 16 June 2026 Matthew 5:43-48 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.... Read More


Gospel in Art: An eye for an eye

The False Mirror,   by René Magritte, 1929,  Oil on canvas  © Museum of Modern Art, New York

Gospel of 15 June 2026 Matthew 5:38-42 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you: Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go o... Read More


Gospel in Art: The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few

Italian Prisoners of War Working on the Land by Michael Ford 1942 © Imperial War Museum

Gospel of 14 June 2026 Matthew 9:36-10:8 At that time: When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.' And he called to him his twelve disciple... Read More


Gospel in Art: Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest, Doctor

St Anthony Preaching to the Fishes by Francisco de Herrera the Elder © Detroit Institute of Arts

Gospel of 13 June 2026 Luke 10:1-9 At that time: The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out ... Read More


Gospel in Art: Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Vision of Margaret Mary Alacoque, by Armand Cambon, 1863 © Montauban Cathedral, Tarn et Garonne, France

Gospel of 12 June 2026 Matthew 11:25-30 At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except t... Read More


Gospel in Art: Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Saints Paul and Barnabas in Lystra by Master of the Budapest Saints Paul and Barnabas 16th C  © Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Gospel of 11 June 2026 Matthew 10:7-13 At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: 'Proclaim as you go, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the labourer deserves ... Read More


Gospel in Art: I have come not to abolish the Laws, but to fulfil them

Tulip from Tulip book 1643. Some paintings in the book were by Judith Jans Leyster, but some are of unknown authorship © Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem

Gospel of 10 June 2026 Matthew 5:17-19 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments a... Read More


Gospel in Art: A city set on a hill cannot be hidden

Nazareth,  by Charles William Meredith van de Velde, 1851 © V&A Museum, London, Purchased with assistance of National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, Shell International, Friends of V&A

Gospel of 9 June 2026 Matthew 5:13-16 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 'You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, ... Read More


Gospel in Art: Blessed are...

Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, by Vincent van Gogh, (1853-1890) painted in 1889 © Courtauld Institute, London

Gospel of 8 June 2026 Matthew 5:1-12 At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those... Read More


Gospel in Art: Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

The Blessing of the Wheat in Artois by Jules Breton, painted in 1857 © Musée d'Orsay, Paris

Gospel of 7 June 2026 John 6:51-58 At that time: Jesus said to the Jews, 'I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.' The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, 'How can this man give us his flesh to eat?' So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless... Read More


Gospel in Art: The poor widow came and put in two small copper coins

Escape from Criticism by Pere Borrell del Caso, 1874 oil on canvas  © Collection Banco de España, Madrid

Gospel of 6 June 2026 Mark 12:38-44 At that time: In his teaching Jesus said to the crowd, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the market-places, and have the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honour at feasts, who devour widows' houses, and, for a pretence, make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.' And he sat down... Read More


Gospel in Art: Saint Boniface, Bishop, Martyr

Saint Boniface Felling Donar's Oak, by Johann Michael Wittmer,  1860  © Sold Lempertz Cologne, 15 November 2014, Lot 1540, sold €34,000

Gospel of 5 June 2026 John 10:11-16 At that time: Jesus said, 'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd... Read More

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