Gospel in Art: Come to me, all who labour

Leaving the Oasis, by Jean-Léon Gérôme 1800s © The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr and Mrs Noah L Butkin 1977.126

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 December 2024
Matthew 11:28-30

At that time: Jesus declared, 'Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'

Reflection on the painting

We are in the season of Advent, a time when we often pray, 'Come, Lord Jesus.' Advent invites us to open our hearts, minds, and lives more fully to the Lord's coming. While we call upon him to 'come' into our lives, today's gospel reading reminds us that it is Jesus who first calls us to come to him: 'Come to me, all you who labour and I will give you rest.' The life of faith always involves this twofold movement: we invite the Lord to draw near to us, and we respond to his invitation to draw near to him. Yet, the first step in this dynamic is always the Lord's initiative. His love for us precedes our love for him.

In today's gospel, Jesus extends a deeply personal invitation: 'Come to me.' He doesn't say, 'Come to my teachings' or 'Come to my followers,' but 'Come to me.' This is a deeply personal and individual call, addressed to each of us without exception. Along with this invitation, Jesus offers a promise: 'I will give you rest.' But what does he mean by 'rest'? We might associate rest with inactivity, but in biblical terms, rest carries a much richer meaning. It is akin to the relief and renewal that a weary traveller might find in an oasis after a long, arduous journey through a barren desert. This rest is not a cessation of effort, but rather a refreshing renewal of body and spirit. It is the kind of rest which gives strength for the journey ahead.

Our painting Leaving the Oasis by Jean-Léon Gérôme, depicts this type of resting in an oasis after a long road, and then setting off again to continue on our journey. As an academic realist, Gérôme skillfully captures the intricate details of the figures' clothing, the distinct physicality of the camels, and the subtle interplay of light. We can feel that it is early morning when the caravan is heading off. Despite the painting's photographic realism, Gérôme composed his works in the studio, drawing from memories and sketches he made during his travels. His first journey to Egypt in 1856 sparked a lifelong fascination with the region and established him as a leading figure among 19th-century "Orientalists", artists dedicated to portraying the landscapes, cultures, and daily life of the Near East. Gérôme's works not only reflect his technical mastery but also embody the era's complex, often romanticised, view of the region.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-11-28-30-2024-3/