Gospel in Art: John was a lamp alight and shining

Eiffel Tower, by Robert Delaunay © Alamy / Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 16 December 2022
John 5:33-36

Jesus said to the Jews:

'You sent messengers to John, and he gave his testimony to the truth: not that I depend on human testimony; no, it is for your salvation that I speak of this.

John was a lamp alight and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.

But my testimony is greater than John's: the works my Father has given me to carry out, these same works of mine testify that the Father has sent me.'

Reflection on the painting

Towards the end of this third week of Advent, Jesus refers so beautifully to John the Baptist as 'a lamp alight and shining'. Jesus is referring to John as bringing testimony to the truth and therefore shining the light of truth onto the world. Jesus was the truth, whilst John bore witness to the truth; Jesus was the Word, whilst John was the voice; Jesus was light, whilst John was the lamp. John was the instrument and prophet through whom Jesus shone. The person that John the Baptist was in relation to Jesus, is also who we are called to be: shining lamps that will witness to the light.

The numerous times I have visited Paris, one of the most visible lights is the one on top of the Eiffel Tower. It is just one light, which rotates, but how powerfully does it shine… to be seen from miles away. A true beacon. With the mounting energy crisis in Europe, this light will be switched off at 11.45 pm instead of 1am and thus the Paris skyline will be getting a little darker earlier.

Robert Delaunay's 'Eiffel Tower' painted in 1924 depicts this famed Parisian landmark in a very colourful way. Completed in just over two years and inaugurated in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was a symbol of modern technology and human achievement in the early 20th century. The dark steel structure has been transformed in our painting into rich tones of yellow, orange, and lavender; the surrounding gardens are abstracted patterns of green and yellow. Influenced by Fauvism (an art movement that championed the use of vivid colours), Delaunay said that "everything is colour in nature." What a lovely way to look at the world. The artist used an aerial viewpoint, probably informed by his own background as an early aviator when he was young.

LINKS

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

Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-5-33-36-2022/