Gospel in Art: Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit

The wise and the foolish virgin, by Jan Adam Kruseman, 1848 © Jan Cunen Museum, Oss, Netherlands

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 October 2024
Luke 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples:

'See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.'

Reflection on the painting

This painting by Dutch artist Jan Kruseman portrays the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. The wise virgin's lamp is lit, and she holds a jar of extra oil, prepared and vigilant. In contrast, the foolish virgin is depicted asleep, her lamp having just run out of oil and the flame extinguished. While she clings to her worldly pearls, the wise virgin gazes into the distance with focus and determination, her eyes set beyond the immediate moment. She understands how present choices shape the future, embodying a readiness that the foolish virgin lacks.

Today's reading centres on the themes of preparation and faithfulness. To be faithful is no simple task; it requires more than occasional devotion or fleeting moments of commitment. True faithfulness demands discipline, consistency, and a steadfast resolve to remain close to God, no matter the challenges or circumstances that arise in our daily lives.

In a world that often prizes personal freedom and self-expression above all else, being faithful to God can seem countercultural. Modern society encourages us to pursue our desires and prioritise our individual needs, often at the expense of deeper spiritual commitments. Yet, the call to faithfulness asks us to go against the grain, to resist the temptation to conform to the world's shifting values, and instead, to anchor ourselves in God's unchanging truth. This journey is not easy, but it is the path to a life that is truly rooted in a relationship with the One who remains constant, even as the world around us changes.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-12-35-38-2024/