Today's Gospel in art - You shall drink my cup

The Last Super, Leonardo Da Vinci, 1498, © Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy

Gospel of 25th July 2019 - Matthew 20: 20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, 'What is it you want?' She said to him, 'Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.' 'You do not know what you are asking' Jesus answered. 'Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They replied, 'We can.' 'Very well,' he said 'you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.'

When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'

Reflection on the Painted Mural

Today's mural painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is probably one of the most recognisable artworks in the world, and also one of the most debated. It has been the subject of speculation about supposed hidden messages, hints of who is depicted, etc etc… However the most interesting aspect of this painting is actually what Da Vinci has left out of this painting, and which is also the topic of today's Gospel reading: the Cup of Christ. Looking at the painted mural, we don't see any cup depicted… even though we are looking at a scene of the Last Supper.

To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/122