Visio Divina
From last week looking at quite a warm light filled painting we move to looking at something bright and quite stark in its detail.
There is nowhere to hide in this image of Jesus on the cross and the vivid pink draws your eye back to the image again and again so there is no looking away either.
Felly, wnewch chi baned ac ymlaciwch
So, make a cuppa and relax.
Gweddiwn, let us pray.
PRAY
Begin with a brief word of prayer.
Be still, be silent.
“Please guide my thinking and guide my seeing. Speak with me I pray. AMEN.”
Look on the image. What part of the art initially drew your eye? Was it a colour, a shadow, a detail? A particular mark? For a moment, think of the very first detail of the art which stood out to you. Slow your breathing and ask God to speak through that detail.
VIEW
Try not to focus on any one part, let your eyes drift around the image. Focus on what the art is making you feel. Uncomfortable? Hopeful? Sad? Happy? Does the image provoke questions in you, does it connect with any memories? Is there a Bible verse or a story which comes to mind?
TRAVEL
In your third viewing of the art, begin by looking at the top left corner. Now slowly let your vision track left to right to right, then down and back to the left, as if your eyes are a scanner and you are taking in the whole image. When you reach the bottom of the image look on the face of Jesus . Let your eyes rest here. Now, ask yourself the simple question “where am I in this painting and where is God?”
LISTEN
In silence mentally take a step back from the image and once again view the whole. How are you being spoken to through the practice of looking at the art. What thoughts are beginning to solidify for you. Is God trying to tell you something?
RESPOND
What are you going to do based on your experience? Print the image and pin it to your fridge? Save the image to your computer? Go and read up on something? Pray for someone? Are you going to go through the steps again later to see if something different comes to you?
Craigie Aitchison (1926-2009)
Etching on paper, made from four plates
78.7 x 67.5 cm
2004
Methodist Modern Art Collection
No. AIT/2010
Image Copyright © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. The Methodist Church Registered Charity no. 1132208
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