Rembrandt's Prodigal Son |
This may prompt us
to think about disputes among siblings. Or it may move us to ponder
forgiving someone who has wronged us. Some
people become so fixated
that they let wrongs “imprison” them, so to speak. This parable
challenges us to forgive. If we can’t forgive on our own, pray
for the grace to participate in the forgiveness of Jesus.
Did you ever wonder what Jesus really
looked like? You probably heard about the Shroud of Turin. Whether
or not it’s authentic, that’s one portrait or face of Jesus. The
great painters also give us different portraits: da Vinci; Raphael;
Michelangelo; El Greco; Rembrandt. Do you have a favorite portrait
of Jesus?
The four recognized Gospel
writers, Mark, Matthew, Luke and John, give us different portraits
and different ways in which to follow Jesus. Moreover they wrote to
different audiences; and so they wrote differently. As we write
differently to different people.
Mark is an action Gospel. The Jesus
in Mark seems very approachable, very human. Mark wrote shortly after scores of Christians perished in Rome and many asked: where is God? Has God forgotten us? To be a disciple may
mean enduring chronic illness; making sacrifices; giving generously
to others.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus in John
is noble, majestic and divine. Remember how this Gospel opens: In
the beginning was the Word. Yes, Jesus is completely human and
completely divine. To be a disciple, for John, is to be in relationship or friendship
with Jesus, especially in prayer.