My experiences of living as a seasoned immigrant in Cordova (Andalusia): humour, culture, history, illustrated. Also includes poetry, quotes, thoughts, and nature.
Jesus at Gethsemane by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834-1890, Copenhagen, Denmark). To view more of his gorgeous paintings, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Bloch
The painting reflects the passage from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 22:43-44, KJV):
‘And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.’
Hello all! I do hope you’re keeping well, especially in these troubled times.
Having now entered Easter Week, I just wanted to share this moving prayer with you, the StabatMater Dolorosa (The Sorrowful Mother was Standing). It tells the story of the Virgin Mary’s suffering at Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.
It is unknown who wrote this 13th century hymn, but many have thought it could be the work of Franciscan friar Jacopone da Todi or Pope Innocent III. It was translated into English by 19th century Anglican clergyman and hymn writer Edward Caswall.
STABAT MATER DOLOROSA
At the Cross her station keeping Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last.
Through her Heart, His sorrow sharing, All His bitter anguish bearing, Lo! the piercing sword had passed.
O how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother, highly blessed, Of the Sole-Begotten One.
Mournful, with Heart’s prostration, Mother meek, the bitter Passion Saw She of Her glorious Son.
Who on Christ’s dear Mother gazing, In Her trouble so amazing, Born of woman, would not weep?
Who on Christ’s dear Mother thinking, Such a cup of sorrow drinking, Would not share Her sorrow deep?
For His people’s sins rejected, Saw Her Jesus unprotected. Saw with thorns, with scourges rent.
Saw Her Son from judgement taken, Her Beloved in death forsaken, Till His Spirit forth He sent.
Fount of love and holy sorrow, Mother, may my spirit borrow Somewhat of your woe profound.
Unto Christ with pure emotion, Raise my contrite heart’s devotion, To read love in every wound.
Those Five Wounds on Jesus smitten, Mother! in my heart be written, Deep as in your own they be.
You, your Saviour’s Cross did bare, You, your Son’s rebuke did share. Let me share them both with Thee.
In the Passion of my Maker, Be my sinful soul partaker, Weep ‘til death and weep with you.
Mine with you be that sad station, There to watch the great salvation, Wrought upon the atoning Tree.
Virgin, you of virgins fairest, May the bitter woe Thou bearest Make on me impression deep.
Thus Christ’s dying may I carry, With Him in His Passion tarry, And His Wounds in memory keep.
May His Wound both wound and heal me, He enkindle, cleanse, strengthen me, By His Cross my hope and stay.
May He, when the mountains quiver, From that flame which burns forever, Shield me on the Judgement Day.
Jesus, may Your Cross defend me, And Your Mother’s prayer befriend me; Let me die in Your embrace.
When to dust my dust returns, Grant a soul, that to You yearns, In Your paradise a place.
Amen
Pietro Perugino‘s depiction of Mary at The Cross (1482). Washington National Gallery
Thank you for visiting. I hope you have a good Easter Week.
As it is Lent, I just wanted to share with you this painting I did a while ago on recycled wood. I used oil paints and have recently varnished it with a 50:50 % turps and linseed oil mix.
I copied William Holman Hunt’s original, entitledThe Light of the World. It depicts Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, and echoes the passage from Revelation 3:20: «Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me».
Notice that the door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, representing «the obstinately shut mind”.
My version of Hunt’s Light of the World. (Oils on recycled wood. The painting is about 1 & 1/2 m high.)
And here is the man himself:
William Holman Hunt (London, 2 April 1827 – 7 September 1910)
Hunt was an English painter and one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His paintings were notable for their great attention to detail, vivid colour, and elaborate symbolism.
Well, To end this blog, I’m including a special prayer for Lent, for those who might be observing this special season of prayer, meditation, reflection, charity, fasting and abstinence, confession and the general preparation of the body, mind and spirit for conversion at Easter.
God, heavenly Father, look upon me and hear my prayer during this holy Season of Lent. By the good works You inspire, help me to discipline my body and to be renewed in spirit.
Without You I can do nothing. By Your Spirit help me to know what is right and to be eager in doing Your will. Teach me to find new life through penance. Keep me from sin, and help me live by Your commandment of love. God of love, bring me back to You. Send Your Spirit to make me strong in faith and active in good works. May my acts of penance bring me Your forgiveness, open my heart to Your love, and prepare me for the coming feast of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Lord, during this Lenten Season, nourish me with Your Word of life and make me one with You in love and prayer.
Fill my heart with Your love and keep me faithful to the Gospel of Christ. Give me the grace to rise above my human weakness. Give me new life by Your Sacraments, especially the Mass.
Father, our source of life, I reach out with joy to grasp Your hand; let me walk more readily in Your ways. Guide me in Your gentle mercy, for left to myself I cannot do Your Will.
Father of love, source of all blessings, help me to pass from my old life of sin to the new life of grace. Prepare me for the glory of Your Kingdom. I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.
Hi folks! I hope you are well, especially in these worrying times of unrest and division…
With Lent and Easter just a short way away, I wanted to share some classic Lent music that I found the other day, as well as some enlightening teachings and reflections on Divinity (taken from the Nag Hammadi Codices).
To listen to the music, you can click on the link here. It is a thirty-minute recording, but you can choose which song to listen to:
And here is some thought for food and reflection:
‘…Although He is clothed in eternal life, He humbled himself, even unto death…
‘He was both knowledge and perfection, proclaiming the things that are in the heart of the Father. In doing this, He became wisdom to those who would receive the teaching…
‘While His wisdom meditates on the Word, His teaching speaks it, and His knowledge reveals it. His patience and mercy are a crown upon it. His joy concurs with it and his glory exalts it. It has revealed His image. It has received His rest. Around it, His love manifested in bodily form. His faithfulness embraced it… It is the fruit of His heart and expression of His will…
‘Light spoke through His mouth, and His voice produced life. He gave them thought, understanding, mercy and salvation. And the Spirit of strength which came from the infinite sweetness of the Father… He was the discovery for those who were searching, and He was a support for those who were unsure. He was purity for those who were defiled…
‘Speak to those who seek concerning the Truth and speak knowledge to those who have committed sin in their error. Make firm and stable the feet of those who stumble. Give your hand to the sick. Feed the hungry. Give assurance to those who are troubled. Give rest to the weary. Encourage men to love. Awaken men and make those who sleep stand. For you are the understanding which draws them. If the strong follow this path they will become stronger.
‘The father is sweet and His will is good… If you are children of the Father you will be known by your fruits and you will have His scent because you were born from the grace of His countenance…
‘…They yearn for that unique and perfect One who is there for them. They do not descend to the place of the dead. They do not have envy or groaning, or death in them. But they rest in Him who is rest. They no longer weary themselves searching for the truth. But they are the truth because the Father is in them, and they are in the Father. The Father is completely good and they are perfected by Him and they will never leave Him. They lack for nothing, and they are given rest and are refreshed by the Spirit…’
An English Lady in Cordova 