Notes: | This Psalm is filled with salvific language which, in the time following Epiphany and in route towards Lent, prepares the mind, body and soul for penance and prayer. Leading to Easter and the celebration of the resurrected Christ, the seasons of Epiphany and Lent remind believers to both mourn and rejoice by recognizing and overcoming temptation just as Christ overcame temptation in the wilderness. In this scripture, we are able to place ourselves in the mindset of the Psalmist who, having endured the struggles of both physical and spiritual being, now praises God for redemption. The photograph, taken at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, is a visual representation of spiritual torment and ultimate hope. Beneath the torn sackcloth, purple backing reveals the expectation of Christ with a royal color suited for both kingship and glory. The table for communion, set in front of this artistic depiction of strife and restoration, strikes another physical sense and replaces the sackcloth of the author, reader, spirit and community with the clothing of joy. Artistically, this church has intentionally embraced a non-traditional means of representing liturgical seasons. In the words of Fr. John Fergueson, “We are trying to live out, as best we can, the religion of the heart. You do that with things that aren’t very rational, like music, art, prayer, and liturgy - by giving people an opportunity to learn what really matters, which is living in a relationship with God.” -- Kitty Taylor |
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