The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
As a sacred art painter, I often experience images or visual moments during prayer that I feel called to actualize in a painting. No one has told me about the image, per-say, nor have I seen these moments in reality, though, I feel them strongly. Currently, I keep seeing an image of a King sitting on a Throne. While the throne is exquisitely ornate, when looking closely, what it is made of is not what you would think. What appears to be golden carvings are actually bent nails woven just so and covered in gold and silver.The diamonds and rubies that sparkle brightly, when seen up close, are filled with drops of sweat and blood. Furthermore, His stunning crown consists of sharp thorn branches delicately braided and covered in gold. “This is a King?” you can’t help but wonder, a bit confused.
What is most striking when looking at this King is His eyes. As He makes eye contact with you, you feel Him reaching into your soul with the most tender of gazes. It is clear that He knows you well. This King leans forward off His throne and reaches out His hand revealing a massive hole in the center of it that enables you to see right through it. From there you notice that His other hand and even His feet have the same scars as the hand that beckons you to come near. There is a sturdy strength and yet a piercing gentleness about this man, one that causes your heart to burn like it never has before. You think to yourself, “How did He get those wounds, is He not a powerful King? Are not King's those who stay protected and simply give out orders?” Reading your mind, He smiles and says, “ I saw you. You were lost and afraid, hurting and in deep pain, struggling to come home. I left my Kingdom and fought unto death for you so that we could meet face to face this day. My throne and my wounds, they show the victory of the battle won for you.”
Have we sat and reflected on the fact that the King of Kings, all powerful, all knowing, and all present, fights for us?!
Unto death through the greatest of sufferings, He fights for us, personally.
The way He battles sometimes goes unnoticed or maybe even seems "wrong" to us in our day to day trials. Like the many who called out to Christ on the cross, save us and save yourself, we think we know the best way to "save and be saved" but we do not. Furthermore, how often do we get to see a King face to face, let alone to have a King truly know you and fight for you personally? Most people never get that opportunity with worldly Kings, yet we are gifted with this offering from the King above all Kings, God.
All we must do is reach out and receive His hand acknowledging that we need Him and trust Him to fight the battle for us that we may enter into His Kingdom and see Him face to face for all eternity.
Kate Capato is a sacred art painter, natural light photographer, and contemporary dance choreographer, who seeks to infuse truth and goodness into our daily lives through the creation of authentic beauty. She loves world wide adventures with her husband and eating dark chocolate on the regular. You can see her artwork and learn more about Kate on her website and social media.