Gospel in Art: I have come to bring fire to the earth

Kerze (Candle), by Gerhard Richter, signed twice, '513-2 Richter 1982' © Christie's London, 14.10.2011, lot 10

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 24 October 2024
Luke 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples: 'I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!

'Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.'

Reflection on the painting

In today's Gospel reading, when Jesus declares that he has come to bring fire to the earth, he is speaking of the fire of the Holy Spirit. Earlier in Luke's Gospel, John the Baptist foretold that while he baptises with water, Jesus would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire. This prophecy reaches fulfilment at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples as tongues of fire. However, before Jesus can bestow the Spirit upon his followers, he must undergo what he describes in the Gospel reading as a baptism. This refers to his coming death, where he will be immersed in intense suffering, die and rise on the third day.

The Spirit that Jesus will pour out is the Spirit of his risen life, but he must first pass through the cross to enter into glory. Jesus had to endure his own baptism of fire so that we could share the fire of the Spirit. Recognising this helps us to value the gift of the Holy Spirit even more. The Spirit given to us is not just the Spirit of the risen Lord, but the Spirit of the crucified and risen Lord.

The imagery of fire and light can be seen in Gerhard Richter's "Kerze" (Candle) paintings, where the solitary candle flame symbolises transience, hope, and spiritual presence. The candle's fragile light evokes the ephemerality of life, echoing Memento Mori themes in art, reminding viewers of the inevitability of death while also suggesting the enduring presence of the divine light. Richter's use of the candle goes beyond mere representation; it invites contemplation of the fine line between life and death, material and spiritual. The candle's flame can be seen as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit's purifying fire, illuminating the darkness and signifying the soul's enduring connection to the sacred even amidst life's uncertainties.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-12-49-53-2024/