Visio divina with the visitation revisited

It’s been a while, but I haven’t forgotten! Boy did I wear myself out with those daily Advent reflections. What the heck was I thinking? God only knows. For now, let’s get back to Visio Divina with the Visitation Revisited. Here are my thoughts on this image of the Visitation:

wombs of love

Heart shaped wombs – the children were conceived in love for a predestined purpose. Think about this – anything that is conceived in love, be it a person or thought or deed is done for a predestined purpose. I say this because anything conceived in love has it’s origin in God as God IS love!

walking together

Walking together side by side – Elizabeth and Mary are depicted walking side by side, comforting one another. This speaks to our call as Christians to walk with each other with compassion and love, comforting and supporting each other on the journey of life. Notice that the women are not speaking. They’re simply “being” with one another. Often-times we get caught up in trying to come up with answers and solutions to someone’s situation when, in fact, all the person needs or wants is for us to be present to listen.

wisdom and energy

Then there’s the connection between young and old – Elizabeth is way beyond child-bearing years and Mary is just a teen. We can deduce from this that Elizabeth has the wisdom Mary lacks and Mary has the energy Elizabeth lacks and together they have what it takes to survive this stage of their lives.

The one thing is three

We see the Holy Spirit in the background just waiting. I’m thinking He’s just waiting to be called upon. He’s always at the ready, waiting to be called to be our advocate and guide. We also see three branches on the tree – could that be a symbol of the Holy Trinity?

What I found interesting in meditating with this painting is that the story of the visitation is historical and the painting itself is contemporary. The message is timeless!

called to be

Further in the background, we see Zechariah holding a sign that reads: His name is John. This made me think of all the different ways there are to witness to the Gospel. It spoke to me about the different vocations and gifts we each have. We are all different and unique. We are not called to be like someone else. We’re called to be ourselves. Some are called to act, some are called to speak and some are called to write, among other things. Do it – just BE YOU!

Lastly and along the same vein, I noticed that Elizabeth’s womb was bigger than Mary’s. John the Baptist looks quite energetic in the womb while Jesus seems poised and still. To me this depicts what was to come – an energetic loud, rebel in John who SPEAKS OUT and a silent, humble Jesus who leads by example. Each one different, each one unique and yet they both had a role to play.

living our purpose

What is your purpose? What role do YOU have to play in this life? When will you figure it out? Have you figured it out? Remember – everyone’s purpose doesn’t become clear at the same time. The Visitation should be our clue of that. Be patient. Remain open. Call on the Spirit for guidance, He’s waiting.

God bless you!

VISIO DIVINA OF THE ANNUNCIATION REVISITED!

Visio Divina with the Annunciation revisited! I first focus on Mary and her demeanor. She’s alone, attentive and resigned. As I pan around the image I notice the red “curtain” that closes her off and shelters her from the rest of the house. There are various layers of draped material implying a softness, an innocence. Everything is so simple – the home, Mary, even the angel of God. Finally, the house is SOLID!

solitude

Mary sits alone, away from the noise, consenting to God’s action and presence. She seems ready, willing and able to commune with God. Is her solitude and silence the reason? I think it’s safe to say this is probably not the first time Mary goes to her room to pray. She seems focused on the conversation and unafraid – as if she’s accustomed to this type of encounter.

how do we compare?

How do we pray? Do we have somewhere separate in our home where we can go to pray. How are we preparing ourselves for an encounter with God? Does our prayer life consist of remembering God in difficult moments or just before bed? Are we fitting God in on our way to work? Are we accustomed to encountering God in our daily lives?

draped in goodness

The draped layers in the painting, to me, seem to indicate a softness, an innocence and even a sense of comfort. She exuded that softness, innocence and comfort everywhere she went. There were layers to Mary’s holiness and prayer life as well. She spoke, she listened, she believed in Old Testament fulfillment and she trusted.

simplicity

I don’t know about you but whenever I’ve seen a rendering of the Annunciation, the angel is depicted more as a human form with elaborate wings. This is the first time I have ever seen the angel depicted as a simple light form. As I focused on its simplicity, I notice the simplicity of the home and of Mary.

Mary’s life and home were very simple. I believe the portrayal of the angel as a simple form illustrates God’s ability to meet us where we are in our spiritual life. Therefore, wait for it, look for it, be attentive, be present!

solid

Notice the house. The walls are cement, the floor is stone – it’s simple, yet SOLID! STRONG! Simplicity doesn’t mean weak, poor or uneducated. For me, simple means nothing in excess, possessing nothing unnecessary and leaving room for what really matters.

This painting speaks to me about the correlation between simple and solid, simplicity and strength. Think about it, living simply without all the extraneous things that weigh us down leaves room and time for the important things, especially our relationship with God.

Simplicity is the “feng shui” of the soul. It’s when we fill ourselves with God that we become SOLID, STRONG AND FREE!

God bless you!

Click here to read about the artist’s intention for this painting. You won’t want to skip it, it’s pretty awesome!