Gospel in Art: There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars

Day 4 of Creation, The Creation of Sun, Moon and stars San Marco, Venice,1215-1235 © Christian Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 28 November 2024
Luke 21:20-28

Jesus said to his disciples, 'When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realise that she will soon be laid desolate. Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it. For this is the time of vengeance when all that scripture says must be fulfilled.

'Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!

'For great misery will descend on the land and wrath on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.

'There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.'

Reflection on the Mosaic Ceiling

The Gospel readings at this time of year can feel rather sombre, at least on first hearing. We are approaching the final days of the Church's liturgical calendar, with the new year beginning this Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent. As the Church year draws to a close, the Gospel passages reflect on dramatic endings-the destruction of Jerusalem and even the end of the cosmos as we know it.

However, alongside these endings, Jesus speaks of comings, particularly his own Second Coming as the glorious Son of Man, bringing liberation to those who await him. Just as it seems that everything is falling apart, a new reality begins to emerge. The final chapter will not be one of destruction but of renewal and liberation for all. This captures the heart of the Gospel message: the Lord brings life and hope, even in the face of death and destruction. Though darkness may seem overwhelming at times, the Lord's light continues to shine within it, and the darkness will not overcome it.

There is a striking cosmological dimension in our Gospel reading, as Jesus refers to the sun, moon, and stars, highlighting the upheaval of the natural order. These celestial signs symbolise cosmic disturbances that accompany the Second Coming of the Son of Man. It reflects the profound interconnectedness between earthly events and the heavens. Our early 13th century mosaic illustrates Day 4 of Creation, when the sun, moon and stars were created. It features in San Marco, Venice. Note how the artist has given a human face to the sun and moon.

Created during Venice's height as a powerful maritime republic, these mosaics cover vast areas of the basilica's interior. The artists who installed the early 13th-century mosaics in the Basilica of San Marco in Venice were a combination of Byzantine-trained craftsmen and local Venetian artisans. Venice had strong cultural and trade ties with the Byzantine Empire, particularly Constantinople, which influenced the artistic techniques and iconography used in these mosaics.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-21-20-28-2024/