Into the Wilderness
“Death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.”
This is the Resurrection (Risen Lord) from a tribal Triptych, painted by the contemplative Indian artist, Jyoti Sahi. Time, in this abstract depiction, is flattened: on the one hand, Christ is crucified: on the other, he is blossoming in as the Tree of Life. Woven into the explosion of color is are two human figures, wrapped up into the drama of Christ crucified, rising, and ascending; as well echoes of integrating symbols — a tree, a leaf, a fish, a phoenix. Such is the comprehensiveness of the mystery of our salvation!
In situ, this painting is the inner panel of a folding piece, such that, when the doors are closed, this image is hidden from view. We do well to remember that, as we enter into the Lenten journey, tracing with our bodies and minds the way of the Cross, and give consideration to practices of penitence and self-denial, in fact, the hidden heartbeat of the season is the mystery of the Resurrection. In the midst of all that we do and are is an inviolable “wrapped-upness” in the life of Christ that has conquered sin and death and hell for our sake, out of pure, self-giving love for us.
Angels came and were ministering to him.
— Matthew 4:11
First Sunday of Lent
Texts for this Week
Prayer
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations, and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
40 Days and 40 Nights
There aren’t a lot of “Lenten hymns” floating around out there: being a penitential season, musicians have typically thought of this time as being a good one to NOT write new music for. But of the handful of specifically Lenten hymns that do exist, this one is a classic: and especially attuned to the Gospel themes of this week.
In this video, the Victorian hymn is performed by the ever-delightful BBC program Songs of Praise at Bradford Cathedral in West Yorkshire.
