The Last Supper

            So am I the only person left that did not know that Leonardo da Vincis' painting of the last supper depicts the moment that Jesus told his disciples he would be betrayed? Trying to experience Holy Week in a more meaningful way has been challenging, so today on Maundy Thursday my devotionals spoke of the last supper, reflecting on this painting and the meaning depicted. In studying and pondering this painting there are interesting parallels to what we are all experiencing during this pandemic, stay with me here. Leonardo portrays an entire range of emotion on the faces of the disciples. "In the face of each one may be seen love, fear, indignation, grief,  and the hopelessness of not being able to understand the meaning" any of these feelings sounding familiar?

          The whole painting is completed in the perspective of Christ being at the center, and not surprisingly he is the calm amid the chaos. da Vincis' painting exposes the deliberate portrayal of the separation of the viewer from the scene, there is no way for us to enter in. They are isolated, quarantined if you will. This rendering crowds the disciples together, overlapping their very beings. Many of us have felt isolated yet crowded by others in this pandemic. Each disciple has their own response to the revelation of betrayal, much like we all are experiencing our own feelings during this lock down.

         Deliberately grouping the disciples in threes to remind us of the Holy Spirit there are mini scenes throughout the painting. Thinking about how each individual has their own response during this time of uncertainty, consider their reactions. The first grouping on the far left of  Jesus is Bartholomew and James minor, leaning in for more details, and Andrew hands resigned in disbelief.  The next grouping directly to the left of Jesus is Judas, Peter and John. Peter leaning in with knife in hand ready to come to the defense of Jesus, Judas the only figure painted in shadow is reaching out to dip into the bowl while also pulling away, protecting his money bag, and John in a state of serenity, almost oblivious to the situation. To the right of Jesus we have Thomas, Philip and James the major. Thomas is pointing to God as if questioning if this is ordained by him, also foreshadowing his unbelief  that Jesus had in fact returned, until he placed that finger in his wounds. Philip and James are almost in direct contrast in their reaction, James arms outward in defiant disbelief and Phillips arms inward seeking to know more, questioning is it me Lord? And the last three apostles on the right, Matthew and Thaddeus imploring Simon for an explanation to which he has none, his hands in surrender of the unknown.

         But in the center of the storm, the eye of the hurricane, is the peace and calm of Jesus. Offering himself as bread and wine, one hand up and one down, the Alpha and the Omega, The source of all being and love. The one thing that strikes me the most about this supper is that knowing that he was to be betrayed, he still invited all to the table. All are welcome, saints and sinners. There is no limit to God's love and mercy.

As we enter into the Easter Triduum let us never forget the one who gave up all so that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Wishing you a safe, healthy and blessed Easter.