Gospel in Art: If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off

Le Petit Journal, by Paul-Charles Chocarne-Moreau,1908 © Sotheby's New York, 29/10/2014

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 27 February 2025
Mark 9:41-50

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'Truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

'Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, "where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.'

Reflection on the painting

In today's reading, we hear Jesus say, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off." Strong words indeed. But as always, this seemingly harsh language reveals a profound spiritual truth.

And what do we see in our painting? An altar server, using his hand rather mischievously to steal a piece of bread while the baker boy looks the other way. Clearly, our cheeky altar boy hasn't been paying much attention to today's reading! But isn't this a wonderfully playful painting, brimming with humour and mischief? Look at the ash flying out of the boy's thurible as he passes a bun to his friends behind him. They, in turn, take great delight in his naughtiness. Meanwhile, the two boys on the right remain completely oblivious, engrossed in reading Le Petit Journal (the 'Little Newspaper').

The artist, Paul-Charles Chocarne-Moreau, introduced these charming depictions of boys at play in the late 19th century, capturing the playful trickery and mischievous spirit of youth. His sentimental canvases offered a refreshing escape from the often serious and industrialized world of his time. In these boys, we recognize something of our own childhood, those moments of innocence, rebellion, and camaraderie.

Returning to Jesus' words, when He says "cut it off," he isn't speaking literally. Rather, he is warning us about the obstacles that stand between us and God. Anything that leads us astray should be removed. Jesus deliberately paints this stark image to drive home the seriousness of our choices. After all, if we truly wish to help build the Kingdom of God, we must be willing to let go of anything that hinders us.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-9-41-50-2025/