Art Reading Scripture
- trinitymilaca
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Do not be afraid, Mary ... Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, ..." Luke 1:26-38
Some paintings draw us in to look and think. We decipher the details and discern what the painting means. Painters filled art with symbols to enhance storytelling. Sometimes the painting beckons us to look and feel. The painting immediately draws us to the emotions of the figures and asks us to feel along with them the impact of the story being told.
Braccesco's Annunciation focuses our attention on Mary's reaction to the angel's appearance and announcement. Mary is surprised. She retreats from the angel and grabs onto a supporting column. Her hand is raised in a defensive posture to ward off the approaching angel who does not kneel before her but comes flying in like an attacking bird of prey. The expression on Mary's face is astonishment and her gaze is directed away from the descending angel. Consequently, the angel's first words, as they are often were when they arrived with an announcement from heaven, were, "Do not be afraid," Mary's response, "How can this be, since I am a virgin," may have been equally, "This cannot be for it is too much for me." The Infancy Gospel of James, composed around the year 150 CE, implies that Mary was about 12 years old at the time of her engagement to Joseph who was already an older man with sons of his own. Mary's response may also be heard as "How can this be, I'm to young for this." A painting of the Annunciation by Dante Gabriel Rossetti from 1850 also vividly shows Mary's reluctance at the idea of bearing the son of God. She recoils on her bed from the angel like an adolescent whose room has been invaded by a parent. Rossetti's painting was poorly received, seen as offensive, possibly blasphemous for its depiction of Mary as being anything other than submissive, honored and welcoming to becoming mother of God. Unlike Zechariah, who also was greeted with "Do not be afraid," at the announcement of John's conception, also objected with his own physical age issue, "How can I know...", Mary did not get censured for doubting the angels word. It is only at the end of the encounter that Mary submits to the will of God.
It is tricky to read feelings into the words of the story. It goes against tradition to consider Mary as anything other than receptive and willing. She is the paragon of obedience, faith, and purity. On the other hand tradition, and in some aspects history, suggest that she was quite young at the time of her engagement to Joseph. It makes sense that a young woman might be reluctant to take on such an enormous responsibility. People called into service to God and neighbor, leadership, and volunteering, often respond skeptically. "Who me? I am not trained. I don't have the time. I'm not good enough, know enough, or are spiritual enough. How do I know this is really God calling, and not something else?" Pastors discerning the call to ministry very often express the desire to flee from the call as quickly as possible, but the call finally becomes something they cannot ignore. Braccesco's painting, and other's like it, honestly expresses the feelings and fears people have, even as they call to mind that ultimately we follow God who leads us into life and service for the sake of the world.
Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.
Pastor Tim Bauer