Monday March 16th. – Lent 2009

An article by Frank    2 Comments

For lent today, I want to offer you an icon to reflect on.

Iconography is a long held Christian tradition, rich in depth and steeped in history. For the artist, the creation of the icon is an act of worship as every part of the image focusses towards God. In a good icon, no brushstroke is an accident or without purpose.

In some circles it is misunderstood and derided. The point of a well made icon is to draw us towards God, to give us a tool whereby we can connect with him. A good icon causes us to reflect on self, God and the world around us and helps to align us to the character of the divine.

The following icon is by far my favourite and has been for some time. It is also now the image that will first greet you as you enter the doors to the TEAR Fund offices. It was created by Br. Robert Lentz and is titled “Christ of Maryknoll“. I would state that this image is part of my identity. It is now also part of TEAR Fund’s identity. Following the image are reflections on it written by Stephen Tollestrup (TEAR Fund Executive Director) to staff in order to help everyone grasp the depth and challenging nature of the icon:

Reflections on Christ of Maryknoll – Stephen Tollestrup

You will notice that as you come in the front door we have a new image of Christ that greets everyone who comes here. It is an unusual piece of art, and if honest somewhat disturbing. I have written below some thoughts on it, to help us.

Robert Lentz icon of Jesus challenges us to a deeper reflection of our mission and its goals, as well as our personal calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. It does this by asking us puzzling questions. What is Jesus doing imprisoned? Is he a prisoner of war? In a refugee camp? A martyr for his Faith? A common criminal? Is he among the forgotten and dispossessed? Are there others just out of the picture, the poor and the oppressed to which he is giving strength, comfort and faith? As he looks out to us is he saying “Whatever you do for the least of these, you are doing for me also?” Is he encouraging us to join him?

Is he languishing weakly as he holds the barb wire, a modern crown of thorns attached to the section of the cross that makes up half the frame? Is this the ‘distressing Jesus’ that Mother Theresa speaks of? It is proper and very OK to feel sadness when looking at it this way.

Or is this an image of Christ victorious about to tear down the walls of injustice and ‘lead captivity captive” and “set the oppressed free”? After all his hands bear the mark of the cross which gives him the power, authority and right to liberate all of creation. It is also proper to feel encouraged, strengthened and in union with his courage, spirit and determination.

Then there are other questions. Who are we in this picture?

Are we as his servants, people of compassion and justice, bringing to him and the others bread and water? Do we approach with some element of caution, aware of the risk and careful not to be caught by the guards? Or do we turn away from this image of Christ and his poverty because his humanness is too scandalous?

Or disturbingly, are we in some way responsible for his imprisonment? Are we guards over him? Do we prolong his imprisonment through our hard attitudes to the poorest and marginalized of this world no matter how subtle? Or even at a deeper level through our acceptance of violence and power as solutions? Is he imprisoned by a cheap faith or Christianity that talks but doesn’t do the walk, a satisfied church of the rich that is dismissive or patronizing of  the poor and oppressed?

But then are we sure we are not on the inside? Are we the ones imprisoned? Imprisoned by our own fears, insecurities, sin and failure of faith. Is Christ’s gaze directed to us, perhaps those of deepest compassion and determination for our liberation, as he tears down the very self made as well as cultural prisons that holds us.

This piece of art is disturbing. It is meant to be. It does not let us forget that poverty and sin are real. Our TEAR Fund ministry is serious business. Our ministry is Christ focused. It reminds us graphically that we are either part of the problem or part of the solution. It reminds us we can only go so far with our own strength and we remain dependent on God’s grace.

So much more that can be said and explored in this Icon. Let’s share together how it speaks to us.

To find out about the Maryknoll Society that was part of the inspiration for this icon, visit www.maryknollsociety.org

To purchase a copy of this image or request permission to use it, visit www.trinitystores.com