Today's Gospel in Art - A lawyer then spoke up.

Waiting for Legal Advice, by James Campbell 1857 © Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool

Gospel of 16th October 2019 - Luke 11: 42-46

The Lord said to the Pharisees: 'Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!

A lawyer then spoke up. 'Master,' he said 'when you speak like this you insult us too.'

'Alas for you lawyers also,' he replied 'because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.'

Reflection on the Painting

The painting of a lawyer's office we are looking at today is by James Campbell, active in the mid 19th century. His pictures mainly depict the lives of lower-middle class and working class life in his native Liverpool. He drew on his first hand experience as the son of an insurance clerk to paint this picture. The Walker Art Gallery where this picture hangs, describes him as 'the most Dickensian of all the Pre-Raphaelites'... To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/205