Mary, Mary and Salome...The Women!

Annibale Carracci, 1590

"When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."  Mark 16: 1-8

Oh my goodness, can you even imagine??

To All who rejoice in the empty tomb, 

Happy Easter!

Christmas 2015

I post this painting, this beautiful painting by Morgan Weistling every year at Christmas time because it touches me. I believe it, it rings 'truth', it feels authentic. A young Jewish girl named Mary, loving her precious baby boy, named Jesus. Weistling calls it, 'Kissing the Face of God'!!! What a thought, so tenderly captured by his inspired work. 

 'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting  Father, Prince of Peace.'

                                                                              Isaiah 9:3

To my Friends and extended Family, a hopeful, peaceful, safe, joyous, richly blessed, healthy and warm Christmas!!!

Mary had a baby!!

REJOICE!!!

Merry Christmas...

To All who celebrate, a

 hopeful, joyful, peaceful, grateful, graceful, inspired, prayerful, bless-ed, safe and warm Christmas!!!

Luke 2:4-11

 'So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you...'
 

The Pieta

Michelangelo carved 'The Pieta' when he was just 24 years old, and it is the only piece of sculpture he ever signed. The sheer beauty of its lines and expression leaves a lasting impression on everyone. Hopefully, one day, I too, will see this masterpiece in person!

With this magnificent sculpture, Michelangelo has given us a highly spiritual view of human suffering. Artists before and after Michelangelo always depicted, his mother, Mary, with the dead Jesus in her arms as grief stricken, almost on the verge of desperation. (And really, who can blame her, or the artists, for depicting Mary in such a state after what she just witnessed).  Michelangelo, on the other hand, created a highly supernatural feel.

As Mary holds her sons' lifeless body on her lap, her face glows with sweetness, serenity and majestic acceptance of immense sorrow, combined with her faith in the Redeemer. It seems almost as if Jesus is about to reawaken from a tranquil sleep, and that after so much excruciating suffering, the rose of resurrection is about to bloom!

Happy Easter to All who celebrate!

Christmas 2012

To All who celebrate, a hopeful, joyful, peaceful, grateful, graceful, inspired, prayerful, safe and warm Christmas!!