Learning to see : The first Sunday after Easter

One of my companions during lock down has been Simon Schama’s book “Rembrandt’s Eyes” which in common with all Schama’s output is meticulously researched, in this case sumptuously illustrated and very weighty. You need time to settle with one of his tomes, often they come in two volumes for example “Citizens” or “The History of the Jews” but just now time is something we do have so I have tackled the 750 pages. History of art books are a joy to read and one of the things they do is teach you to see. For example in the section on Rubens, Schama discusses a painting “The Trinity adored by the Duke of Mantua and his family.”   At a first glance it does exactly what it says on the tin. In the lower half of the picture are the Duke, his mother and other family members on a balcony looking into the upper half, where the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost are to be seen. Now Schama explains that the rules pertaining in those times stipulated that the Holy Trinity could only be seen by Apostles or Saints - among whose number the Duke of Mantua was not. A careful look at the painting shows that the Trinity are depicted on a tapestry so the Duke and his family are exonerated - there is a perfectly painted edge and since the top of the material is held up by angels it should really have been clear enough.

All three of our readings this  morning are about learning to see, for what should have been clear enough, that is the Resurrection of Jesus seems to need elaboration for us to truly receive it.

The modern lectionary takes us immediately this Sunday to the passage in Acts where Peter is addressing the crowd on Pentecost morning. This is strange for we know that we have to wait another forty days for the coming of the Holy Spirit  but the church decides to mandate this reading now.  [It is true you have no choice : the reading from Acts must be either the first or second reading!] Peter in his speech summarises Jesus’ ministry “a man attested by God with deeds of power, wonders and signs,” relates his death and then proclaims his resurrection. “God raised him up, having freed him from death because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.” Peter with his raised voice says “Listen, you Israelites, look at the resurrection and see what it means.” The church has put this reading here chronologically too soon and is saying “ Listen you Christians, look at the resurrection and see what it means.”

Jesus also understood that the act of Resurrection would  not be enough, for when the disciples are hidden away for fear, even so soon after the event Jesus appears to them. He makes them look at the details of the wounds in his hands and side and says “Look you disciples see what I am giving you.”

And then Peter’s letter written sometime in the 60’s AD reminds us of our difficulty, that unlike Peter we have not seen him. And so our faith, without having seen, is more precious than gold. Tested and tried by tribulations and troubles our faith has to be secured against them. We have to love him although we have not seen him, we need to rejoice still in the Resurrection even if it were so long ago. Rubens cannot paint a picture of us adoring the Trinity for we are neither Apostles or Saints but nonetheless we can learn to believe and see Jesus Christ, resurrected at the right hand of the Father.

Amen

The sermon refers to a painting by Rubens which if you wish you can find on Wikipedia here:

https://www.wikiart.org/en/peter-paul-rubens/the-trinity-adored-by-the-duke-of-mantua-and-his-family-1606