Today's Gospel in Art: The harvest is the end of the world

The Last Judgement, by Giotto, Fresco, 1305, © Cappella Scrovegni, Padua, Italy

Gospel of 30th July 2019 - Matthew 13: 36-43

Leaving the crowds, Jesus went to the house; and his disciples came to him and said, 'Explain the parable about the darnel in the field to us.' He said in reply, 'The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world; the good seed is the subjects of the kingdom; the darnel, the subjects of the evil one; the enemy who sowed them, the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; the reapers are the angels. Well then, just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time.

'The Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that provoke offences and all who do evil, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!'

Reflection on the Fresco

The Last Judgment is one of Giotto's masterpieces. Painted in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, we firstly see the early 14th century windows which represent the Holy Trinity, flanked on either side by angels rolling out of the sky, as per today's reading 'the Son of Man will send his angels'. Directly underneath is Christ, surrounded by light; He is majestic, but not terrifying, yet there to judge...

To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/127