The Gospel as Art
Chinese philosophers are famous for their thought-provoking, enigmatic statements. Some years ago I heard one that still makes me think. It was the statement of a Taoist philosopher. When asked by a Catholic Sister from Hong Kong what he thought of Christianity, he replied, “You Christians know too much about God.”
From further discussions Sister understood that while he respected Christians he felt that we are doctrine rich but contemplation poor. We know so much there is little left to discover or to wonder about. We concentrate on education, rather than mystery and mysticism. Yet the most important things in life normally transcend rational discourse.
I believe that is why Jesus spoke in parables. It allowed him to speak in a more profound way. Jesus could be infuriating. He rarely answered questions, even honest ones, instead he told a story. It was an enormous act of faith in his listeners. He believed they had sufficient experience to understand his parables. They echoed with the mystery and the questions in their own hearts and they understood them to the degree that they were able and needed to. No doubt some of them only understood more fully twenty or thirty years later when their life experiences had prepared them to.
The Gospel is full of parables, symbols and myths. It is a work of art. Good art attracts and delights us but it is not always pretty or comfortable. It can inspire, but it can also challenge and be truthful in a deep and complex way. We need art because it can address the whole person in a way rational statements cannot. Art speaks to the heart as well as the mind.
It is wonderful how the beauty of a single flower can fill us with awe and the feeling that all is right with the world. But there is also a profound beauty and truth to the image of Isaiah’s Suffering Servant that we hear about on Good Friday, “He had no form or majesty... He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity... [Is. 52: 2-5]. We cannot explain the beauty of the Suffering Servant but we can feel a disturbing truth that will ultimately heal us.
Everyone searches for the good, the true and the beautiful. These desires are deeply human. We Christians have always stressed truth and goodness but we also need to nourish ourselves with beauty. I hope this Calendar can help. These paintings have disturbed and inspired Christians for centuries. I hope this calendar will nourish your spirit throughout the year. Finally, I hope some of the art will resonate with the mystery and questions in your heart and give you the energy, hope and vision to live life to the full and to strive for a united, just and sustainable world.
Thank you for buying it. It is one of the principal ways in which we support our missions around the world. And that is another way of giving life.
Fr Noel Connolly is the Regional Director of St Columbans in Australia and New Zealand.
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