“Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted.”

-Martin Luther King Jr. (Strength to Love, Harper & Row, 1963, p. 14)

Monday, July 26, 2010


Painted in one of the ancient underground catacombs of Rome, this image of Jesus is one of the oldest, dating from around the year AD375. The early Christians were reluctant to make pictures of Christ, so this early painting is very rare.


If a picture could tell a story, imagine this one's tale with its clear and broad strokes.

What do you think the artist is communicating about Jesus?

I find the eyes fascinating. In them I see depth of character and feeling. Even in times of stress, I gain a sense of calm from this picture and imagine such a face saying, "Here is the bottom line: do not worry about your life. Don't worry about what you will eat of drink. Don't worry about how you clothe your body. Living is about more than dressing up. Worrying does not do any good - who can claim to add even an hour to their life by worrying? Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is enough for today."
-Matthew 6.25, 27, 34 (the Voice of Matthew)