Reading
Psalm 51:7,8
For behold, you look for truth deep within me,
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure;
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
Devotion
This week's painting resides at the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg, so given world events, it may be difficult to view in person. It is titled Christ and Sinner. Created by Polish painter, Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902) who spent much of his adult life in Russia, this large 1873 canvas portrays Christ encountering a group of revelers. The revelers seem to be outside the walls as Jesus and his followers have flowed into the scene from the left. This may demonstrate the separation from God and community that characterizes sin. Jesus looks the young woman in the eye. She is partly in shadow. His look connects them. She recoils in shock, perhaps at being truly seen. She has dropped her cup and wine spills on the ground. Others look on in curiosity.
Ponder the eyes of those in the scene. What do you see, dear reader? What does the woman see in Jesus' eyes? Love? Judgement? Truth? What do you see in the eyes of the followers? How about the other revelers? What would happen if Jesus were to look into your eyes? What truth would Jesus see and what wisdom would be revealed?
Perhaps this week is a time for you to develop a new spiritual practice. Here is one to try: The Examen – Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Let me know what you think!
Prayer
Light of Christ, awaken us this hour to the glory of Your presence in our midst. Shine among us in such a way that the darkness without and within may be pushed back, such that we might truly see what is really real. Help us to recognize our sin for what it is. Enable us to behold the world as You created it to be, as You created us to be. Empower us to move from darkness to light, from sin to new life. May Your light within us shine through into worship this day, as all days. This we pray in the name of the Word made flesh, the light which is the light of all people. Jesus Christ. Amen. (from Prayers of Self-reflection)