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| Image by Giuseppe Milo. |
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What does it mean to be the survivor?
Today, again, we disrupt our normal format to offer a chance for Visio Divina, the practice of praying and meditating on an image or sacred work of art. Using the painting, “The Transportation of Christ to the Tomb,” by Antonio Ciseri (1864-1870), how can we deepen our sense of journeying with those who attend to Jesus after his death? How can Jesus help us confront our own losses, as we go?
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A GREETING
I yearn for your salvation, O God!
(Genesis 49:18 TIB)
A READING
After this, Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus—but a secret one, for fear of the Temple authorities—asked Pilate for permission to remove the body of Jesus, and Pilate granted it. So Joseph came and took it away. Nicodemus came as well—the same one who had first come to Jesus by night—and he brought about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the Jewish burial custom. There was a garden in the place where Jesus had been crucified, and in the garden was a new tomb where no one had ever been buried. Since it was the day before the Sabbath and the tomb was nearby, they buried Jesus there.
(John 19:38-42 TIB)
In representations of the descent of Jesus from the Cross, often the same people are present, perhaps reflecting the depiction of those present at the Crucifixion in the Gospel of John. These familiar figures bear Jesus to the tomb before they anoint him. Although he is not here, Peter's request to Jesus during the footwashing to wash other parts of his body as well, can be read as a foreshadowing of this moment. The Jewish ritual custom to this day is to wash the whole body in preparation for burial. The blood of a body is considered sacred and if it should come outside the body, care must be taken to keep the bloodied garments with the body. In the painting, the figures are in mostly shadow and darkness, except for Jesus, who is both in the light and the source of light. He is being led feet-first. His anointed feet of days ago, will now be washed by others and anointed again.
Reflect on the painting for a few minutes in silence.
What are the details that emerge for you?
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| The Transportation of Christ to the Tomb, by Antonio Ciseri (1864-70) |
Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus, the Beloved Disciple (looking at us), Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene (foreground), and two of the other women.
Even though the figures are clothed, the parts of Jesus are mirrored in the others. They make one body together with him: the shoulders of Jesus and Mary Magdalene and also her foot -- are all bare and catch the light. One foot each of Joseph of Aramithea and the Beloved Disciple ground the torso of Jesus beneath him. What else do you see?
Reflect in silence.
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
I cried so much that I’m exhausted—
and not only my eyes, but my mind and body as well.
(Psalm 31:9)
MUSIC
A SECOND READING
Just as each of us has one body with many members—and these members don’t have the same function— so all of us, in union with Christ, form one body. And as members of that one body, we belong to each other.
(Romans 12:4-5)
A POEM
Against the dark heavens
someone kneels, slowly allowing
the sheet to drop down.
Everything is in darkness. The trees too.
Only the body shines.
No, not exactly. Again. From the beginning.
Soft white flesh, so it seems,
living, breathing, moving its arms,
even loving. Outside the frame,
one guesses they will put him to rest in the ground...
The figures,
the bloodied, silent wood, heaven
all color – colors are colors –
but from where and where to? Darkness.
- from "Descent from the Cross" by Tuvia Ruebner & Keshev
translated by Lisa Katz and Shahar Bram
VERSE OF THE DAY
They will carry you in their hands
(Psalm 91:12a TIB)
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| Image by Giuseppe Milo |
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Resources in today's devotion:
Scripture passages are taken from The Inclusive Bible.
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LC† Streams of Living Justice is a devotional series of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help support the ongoing work.
Thank you and peace be with you!