Gospel in Art: How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?

Autumn Colours, by Kaii Higashiyama, painted in 1986 © Yamatane Museum of Art, Japan

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 25 October 2024
Luke 12:54-59

Jesus said to the crowds: 'When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?

'Why not judge for yourselves what is right? For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison. I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.'

Reflection on the painting

We like talking about the weather, especially here in Britain. It is no surprise given the variety of weather we experience daily and the amount of rain that falls, especially during this autumnal season. We often find ourselves looking up at the sky to gauge what might be coming-a shower or perhaps a bright spell just around the corner. In today's Gospel, Jesus acknowledges that his own contemporaries were skilled at reading the signs in the sky, anticipating changes in the weather, but they struggled to discern the more significant signs of the times. They failed to recognise that someone far greater than Solomon or Jonah was in their midst.

We, too, can miss the signs of God's presence among us, overlooking the ways in which He speaks through the events and experiences of our everyday lives. To recognise the Lord who stands with us and to hear His voice, we need to cultivate a spirit of attentiveness-eyes that truly see and ears that truly hear. This requires developing a contemplative outlook, a deep awareness of mind and heart. We also need a faith that is expectant, one that trusts God to be present wherever we are and the belief that he has a message for each one of us, relevant to our unique circumstances.

"Autumn Colours" by Japanese artist Kaii Higashiyama, painted in 1986, captures the quiet beauty and subtle transformation of nature as the seasons shift to autumn. The painting reflects Higashiyama's signature style, which emphasises serene landscapes and evokes a sense of tranquillity. His use of delicate autumnal hues, from deep reds to golden yellows, against a blue ground, captures the fleeting moment when leaves are at their most vibrant before falling. The scene invites viewers to pause and appreciate the cyclical beauty of nature, encapsulating both the splendour and the melancholy associated with the changing seasons and change of weather.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-12-54-59-2024/