Gospel in Art: Men will seize you and persecute you

Ecce Homo, by Caravaggio, 1605 © Galleria di Palazzo Bianco, Genoa

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 23 November 2022
Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to his disciples: 'Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name - and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.'

Reflection on the painting

In today's reading Jesus is addressing his inner circle, his disciples. He foretells what might happen to them and to other early Christians when they proclaim the Good News. But it also applies to us, now. We are encouraged to be true to our Christian values, whatever the cost. Jesus speaks of persecution and ridicule: 'Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment'. The interesting two words in this sentence are 'hand over'. These two words appear elsewhere in the New Testament too. John the Baptist was 'handed over' to Herod who imprisoned and killed him. Jesus himself is 'handed over' to the leaders of the people and then 'handed over' to the Roman authorities.

At the very same time, Jesus is altogether reassuring: 'I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom'. He promises words and wisdom that will prove irresistible to our accusers and give amazing witness to Him. So what better painting to look at than this Ecce Homo painting by Caravaggio, depicting Jesus, after He was handed over, now being ridiculed and on trial for his life. On the right is Pilate, assumed to be a self-portrait of Caravaggio. Jesus is already crowned with thorns and mockingly robed like a king by his tormentors. Only a few days ago we celebrated Christ's kingship. Caravaggio's usual dramatic use of light, combined with the absence of depth or background, theatrically places Christ right into the space of the viewer. The look of the man on the right (Caravaggio himself) is straight at the viewer, telling us: 'look: this is what Christ did for you'.

Jesus does not promise that life will be easy for his disciples and for us. But what He does promise is that He will give us words, wisdom and courage to help live our Christian lives.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/

Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-21-12-19/