Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Benedict

The Temptation of Saint Benedict, by Alessandro Allori 1587 © The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 July 2024
Matthew 19:27-29

Peter spoke to Jesus. 'What about us?' he said. 'We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?' Jesus said to him, 'I tell you solemnly, when all is made new and the Son of Man sits on his throne of glory, you will yourselves sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.'

Reflection on the Painting

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Benedict. He was born circa 480 AD to a wealthy family in the region of Umbria in Italy. After a young life of privilege, he met a monk called Romanus of Subiaco (died ca. 550 AD), who convinced him to change his ways and to live alone in a cave near Subiaco for three years, in order to demonstrate his commitment to his Christian faith. Romanus checked in on the young Benedict on a regular basis and, when the three years were served, Benedict was given the call to become abbot for fifteen monks who already lived in a monastery nearby. Benedict assumed control of the monastery and insisted that his monks follow the strictest manner of worship and mission. Some of the monks became seriously upset with all his demands and out of the disillusionment came a conspiracy to kill Benedict by poisoning his wine. As he blessed his wine cup, it shattered, saving his life.

In his classic Second Book of Dialogues, Pope Gregory the Great describes Saint Benedict as a hero and great saint, casting him predominantly in the role of miracle worker. There we find a passage which describes what is depicted in our painting:

"One day, while the saint was alone, the Tempter came in the form of a little blackbird, which began to flutter in front of his face. It kept so close that he could easily have caught it in his hand. Instead, he made the sign of the cross and the bird flew away. The moment it left, he was seized with an unusually violent temptation. The evil spirit recalled to his mind a woman he had once seen, and before he realized it his emotions were carrying him away. Almost overcome in the struggle, he was on the point of abandoning the lonely wilderness, when suddenly with the help of God's grace he came to himself.

He then noticed a thick patch of nettles and briers next to him. Throwing his garment aside he flung himself into the sharp thorns and stinging nettles. There he rolled and tossed until his whole body was in pain and covered with blood. Yet, once he had conquered pleasure through suffering, his torn and bleeding skin served to drain the poison of temptation from his body. Before long, the pain that was burning his whole body had put out the fires of evil in his heart. It was by exchanging these two fires that he gained the victory over sin. "

In our painting we see the devil fleeing away in the distance, whilst the cross on the altar is standing tall. Benedict is seen reading the Bible as he rolls in the stinging nettles.

Saint Benedict. Pray for us.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-19-27-29-2024/