J47 It's all in how you look at it

Matthew 17: 2 "And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light."

Origen: "Do you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the Gospels. He is beheld in the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge." (1)

An artist known as Rothko was famous for his oil paintings, which were mostly squares of more or less solid colors. The squares were not even geometric, but intentionally ragged, uneven. He died in 1970. Early in 2020, his "No. 22 (reds)" sold at auction for 70 million dollars. I wouldn't have paid more than $10, but then, I can't see anything in the image. Perhaps I am a Philistine (2).

Were you ever dragged into an art museum, and suffered boredom for what seemed like hours; made to look at color squares, or worse; and gotten nothing out of it ? Me, too. And I did that to my kids, sure enough. "Not the picture place!" they would moan. Then we discovered Sister Wendy (3).

You have to know a little bit about art to appreciate it. As with anything, the more you know, the more you see. The more you see, the better you see. Until you get good at it. And discerning. Then you can see for yourself, without a guide.

Seen Jesus lately? Maybe you need an introduction. Once you meet Him, the Holy Spirit can be your guide. If no one else will take you to Him, try reading Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis (4)

O Lord, I want to see your Glory! Please do not leave me in the outer darkness. Let me see you better, every day better, until we are face to face!

(1) Origen's Commentary on Matthew 12.37, in Ancient Christian Commmentary on Scripture, NT Vol 1b, Simonetti, Ed.

(2) Philistine -- an uncultured, uninformed, and possibly destructive person.

(3) Wendy Mary Beckett (d. 2018), popularized art thru fun (fun!) videos and books, produced by the BBC.

(4) A series of brief radio broadcasts, produced by BBC during WW II, published in book form in 1952.

4/8/2020