Today is Maundy Thursday, and you can find the the reflection from the Visual Commentary on Scripture here.
This week, the commentary has been considering different perspectives on the cross, from personal experience and reflecting on that of others. It reminds us that where we are coming from is so significant to how we engage with the symbols of our faith.
Moshe Castel’s painting of the crucifixion is a case in point.
To quote from today’s commentary: In an expressive style influenced by the French–Russian painter Chaim Soutine, and inspired by Marc Chagall’s crucifixions, Castel put himself on the cross. The face is a self-portrait, while above the figure a Hebrew inscription says ‘Castel the Jew’, so that the artist’s intense outpouring of pain culminates in total identification with the suffering of the crucified Christ.
As you reflect on this image in the knowledge of the artist’s engagement with the theme, here is some powerful music to listen to by Bruckner: Christ factus est.
Place of Wondering 