Gospel in Art: They asked Jesus to do something for her

Saint Thecla Praying for the Plague-Stricken, by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1758-59, © Metropolitan Museum, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 4 September 2024
Luke 4:38-44

Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.

At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, 'You are the Son of God.' But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, 'I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.' And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.

Reflection on the painting

In today's Gospel reading, we hear of people interceding with Jesus on behalf of others. Those in Simon Peter's household asked Jesus to help Peter's mother-in-law, who was bedridden with a fever. Others brought friends suffering from various diseases to Jesus at Simon Peter's house. These individuals acted as mediators, connecting those in need with Jesus. We are all called to be mediators in this sense, bringing Jesus to others and others to Jesus.

One way we fulfil this role is through intercessory prayer, just as people interceded with Jesus for Peter's mother-in-law. Intercessory prayer has always been a fundamental aspect of Christian practice. Hence, it is essential to pray for others as well as for ourselves. Praying for others embodies the selfless love and compassion that Jesus taught. It also fosters a sense of community and solidarity, reminding us that we are all connected and responsible for one another's well-being.

One such example of intercessory prayer depicted in a painting, is Tiepolo's 'Saint Thecla Praying for the Plague-Stricken'. Tiepolo created this oil sketch as a preparatory work for a monumental altarpiece in the cathedral at Este, in northeastern Italy, commemorating the devastating plague of 1630. In the sketch, Saint Thecla prays to God, who appears in the heavens, on behalf of the city depicted in the background. The figure on the right, who covers his mouth against the stench and is about to remove a mother's body, is inspired by works of Raphael and Nicolas Poussin. However, Tiepolo portrays him as a man of African descent, reflecting historical evidence that the dangerous task of handling plague-stricken bodies was often forced upon freed or enslaved African and Turkish men. This figure proved controversial already at the time and was omitted in the final painting.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-4-38-44-2024/