Our Fearless Leader was back this week (but will be gone next week) and we resumed our art-inspired study this week by looking at some works by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. If you want to go out and take a look before you continue on, look at The Milkmaid, The Artist's Studio and Girl With A Pearl Earring. Those were the works for consideration at the beginning of the discussion, but the meat of the discussion centered on Christ in the House of Martha and Mary.
The introductory exercise asked us to think of a celebrity or someone famous to whom you are drawn. (Bet you know who I am thinking about!) Think about why/what you admire about them and how much you know about them. Do you know what they do when something goes wrong? Favorite flavor of ice cream? What is the difference between knowing about someone and knowing them? What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God?
Then we revisited the works of Caravaggio and Rembrandt to remember the importance of light, chiaroscuro, in their works. There is no documentation of formal training for Vermeer, but he was clearly influenced by the Baroque painters. We looked at Vermeer's works and the use of light, but color as well. Artists send as much message through the composition of their paintings as they do the subject. To me it's as if they have a secret language. We then went on to look at Christ in the House of Martha and Mary.
So what was Vermeer saying in this painting? It's important to note that he was born into a Protestant family, but converted to Catholicism in order to marry his wife. The author of the study parallels Martha-Catholicism-works as a means to heaven with Mary-Protestantism-grace. The discussion about the scripture surrounding Martha and Mary often condemns Martha for her 'busy-ness" and her criticism of her sister, Mary. OK, I dare you to be completely honest. Which one of you HAS NEVER been so focused on taking care of busy-ness tasks that you missed opportunities to sit and visit and simply be. And which one of you has NEVER had an adversarial moment with a sibling? Seriously, these are perfectly normal, human moments and emotions. It seems to me that we read our own personal experiences into our interpretations, so we need to carefully step back and try to consider what the artist was trying to say, but then process what it says to us.
I can see the reason for the comparison between Catholicism and Protestantism. I understand the issue with works and grace. I am going to go out on a limb and say that based on the positioning in the picture, Vermeer is not condemning either sister or philosophy. Jesus extends an open hand to Mary, His left hand rests comfortably and relaxed on the chair, his body and face turn to Martha, the light illuminates both sisters. Martha provides what is needed for the body, while Mary provides spiritual support. It seems to me that both are needed, both are valued, and Jesus invites both into relationship with Him. And He is willing to meet them where they are, there is no sign of asking them to change at all.
That could also be my interpretation. As the oldest sibling it has always been my nature to take care of details and things more than relationships. I identify with Martha so I have a vested interest in her not coming out on the short end of the stick. It is a close, intimate conversation among three friends. The message I am getting is that both are needed but need to be balanced, and God doesn't care where I am in working at that balance. If I respond to the invitation, we will have a relationship.
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