Gospel in Art: Rejoice with me

The Prodigal Son Feeding Swine, by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1660 © National Gallery of Ireland

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 7 November 2024
Luke 15: 1-10

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. 'This man' they said 'welcomes sinners and eats with them.' So he spoke this parable to them:

'What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it? And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? "Rejoice with me," he would say "I have found my sheep that was lost." In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.

'Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it? And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours? "Rejoice with me," she would say "I have found the drachma I lost." In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.'

Reflection on the painting

The theme of joy is central to Pope Francis' preaching and writings, particularly in his letter "Gaudete et Exsultate" ("Rejoice and Be Glad", read full Apostolic Exhortation here), which reflects on the call to holiness in today's world, ultimately leading to a very deeply embedded joy. This sense of joy resonates powerfully in today's gospel. When the shepherd finds his lost sheep, he joyfully carries it home, inviting his friends and neighbours to "Rejoice with me!" Similarly, when the woman finds her lost coin, she too calls for her friends to celebrate. These figures represent Jesus, who seeks out the lost and draws them into a new community. As he does so, he extends the invitation to all, "Rejoice with me".

However, not everyone shared in this joy. Some criticised Jesus, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Jesus compared such people to children who refused to dance when the pipes were played, their gloom standing in stark contrast to the rejoicing in heaven. Jesus longed for this heavenly joy to be mirrored on earth by those who witnessed his work. If we let him, Christ is always at work within us and among us, and this gives us every reason to be joyful.

One of the most beautiful passages in the Gospels, alongside today's examples of the lost sheep and the lost coin, is the parable of the Prodigal Son. The father's overwhelming joy at his son's return is a powerful expression of forgiveness and grace. Our featured painting is Murillo's interpretation of this theme, capturing the pivotal moment when the son decides to leave behind his life of feeding swine and begins his journey back to his father. It is an unusual and poignant depiction, focusing not on the joyful reunion, but on the moment of conversion-when the son turns towards repentance, just before meeting his father again. This masterpiece, recently restored at the National Gallery of Ireland, draws attention to the inner transformation that precedes the celebration, making it a deeply moving painting.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-15-1-10-2024/