Gospel in Art: I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me

The Concert, by Gerrit Van Honthorst, 1623 © National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 March 2023
John 5:17-30

But Jesus answered them, 'My Father is still working, and I also am working.'

For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgement to the Son, so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Anyone who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life.

'Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgement, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 'I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.'

Reflection on the painting

In yesterday's gospel reading, Jesus asked the paralysed man at the pool of Bethesda 'Do you want to be well again?' Jesus is often portrayed in the gospels as probing what it is that people really want. Jesus already knew what the man wanted, yet he still asks. At the very end of today's Gospel reading, Jesus shares with us what HE wants. He says, 'I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me'. Jesus is saying that he wants what God wants and that his will is in perfect harmony with God's will. And now he wants us to want what he wants.

Our calling is to be in perfect harmony with Jesus, as Jesus was in perfect harmony with his Father. And where in the arts are things in beautiful harmony with one another? In music. In music, individual sounds are joined together to create a unique wholesome sound. If humanity were in perfect harmony with Our Lord, what glorious sound that would be!

Two days ago we looked at a painting by Gerrit van Honthorst depicting the Holy Family. Today we are looking at another one of his paintings, one that masterfully demonstrates that Van Honthorst was one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age. He painted with verve and assurance, using bright, cheerful colours. Joy is bursting out of this painting. The conductor of the house concert (who has his back turned towards us) is pointing out what notes to sing. His conducting brings harmony. Harmony in music exists when the guidance of its leader is followed. Harmony in our faith is achieved when we follow Christ.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-5-17-30-2023/