From Grünewald’s crucifixion to immigration detention Cover Image: Matthias Grünewald (1470–1528), Isenheim Altarpiece (1512–1516). Public Domain found here. Matthias Grünewald’s early 16th-century crucifixion painting is one of the most gruesome paintings of the crucifixion. Christ’s body is discolored, twisted, and studded with shards of wood and thorns. His extremities are twisted unnaturally and have turned a sickly green. As grotesque as the scene is, it’s not nearly as horrifying as Jesus’ body must have appeared on the cross. But something more important...
I was reading this week about how God’s covenant with the people of Israel was centered on the promise of His presence. Old Testament scholar, John Walton writes, “God’s purpose in making the covenant was to initiate a relationship that would eventually lead to the reestablishment of his presence on earth after humanity had lost access to his presence in Genesis 3” (Wisdom for Faithful Reading: Principles and Practices for Old Testament Interpretation). On the other side of the...
I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the account of Jesus’ words to Mary and Martha after the death of their brother in John 11:11-57. four days since we boundthe shell of our brotherand released him tothe relentless grave over a week since we calledfor the only Healer we knowand waitedfor him to come too late I tend and feedthe consolerscrowding Marydrowning in sorrow Then he arrivesand I leave...
I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the account of Jesus’ words to a woman with a curved spine found in Luke 13:10-13. He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. She was bent over, and could in no way straighten herself up. When Jesus saw her, he called her, and said...
I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the story of Jesus raising the 12-year-old daughter of Jairus, the synagogue leader in Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:40-56 at the end of exhaustionin and out of lightI finally drink deepof sleep and pressing darkness outside the rise and fallof wailing –for death stingsa needling pain “Don’t fearonly believeShe is sleeping” He is nearhis eyesunshroudedand seeing “Little girl arise” black...
I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the story of Jesus raising the widow’s son from the dead in Luke 7:11-17. one large crowd going outwith weepingmeets a buoyant and curious crowdgoing in buzzing around the Teacher I stumble against the waves of shock and tearsmy only son’s bodysapped of lifea close copy of his father’son a similar bier Pain in, pain outthe expansion of my lungsa merciless...
I am the bleeding womanmy body a brittle wineskinleaking joymy purse exhaustedby the fruitless help of healers I have longed forrelease from hopeheart sick with its delayto despair fullytempts meand yet I hold twelve years has weaknessimprisoned me my boundaries drawn unpleasantlyin law and bloodshadowed and untouched an urgent crowd now rushes Jesus to a fading daughterher 12 years blooming and belovedto my 12 shrinking and stainedbut like a shockhope shoots through me with all that remains of faithlike...
I am going through a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This is based on the words Jesus spoke to his mother, Mary, at a wedding in Cana recorded in John 2:1-11. Grown now, Jesus calls me “woman”endearing me even knowing all my strugglesconstructing a family in the ruins of clashing empires at this wedding we dancerhythms of celebrationin a world of pressure and disappointmentthe wine loosens our grief until“they have no wine,” I...
