[This is the third of the mediations used during Lent at All Saints Ealing. In place of the sermon, the congregation are invited to reflect upon a work of art from the National Gallery. The reflection is accompanied by simple meditative music. The reflection is inspired by the lectionary readings for the day and two books: Nicholas Holtam's The Art of Worship and Anne Richards' Unreconciled - Exploring mission in an imperfect world. The selection of accompanying music as well as commentary on it is provided by the Director of Music - Gina Kruger.]
Francisco de Zurbarán, A Cup of Water and A Rose, 1630 (Courtesy of the National Gallery)
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of the LORD are sure,
making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
Psalm 19:7-8
We lead incredibly catered lives. This is especially true in a city like London where we have access to everything we could ever want. Ironically, for many of us, life can often feel empty. The genius of this still life is that it literally offers us the beauty of a still life – an unadorned cup, a simple pewter plate and a rose in bloom. Spend a little time with this work and we soon realise that it guides us to something not portrayed but certainly present, and that is stillness.
What would the table setting of our lives look like? What unnecessary clutter or blinding pressure would come between us and savouring the refreshment of water or the delight of a rose in bloom? Paul in our reading from 1 Corinthians 1 today puts the challenge to us in this way: “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
This cleansing righteousness (or making right) of God is made very real when Jesus is turning the tables of traders and moneychangers in the temple courts. He cries out “Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" (John 2:13-22) He could well have said, “Stop desecrating your sacred lives by chasing after things you want but do not need, clean out the clutter of your minds and hearts because you’ve lost sight of God!” Are we prepared to let Jesus turn the tables in our messy lives, to clear the way for the simple message that God loves us?
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.
ANON, 19th century. American Shaker song.
Music for the Reflection:
Granada by Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)
This is the first of five pieces in the Suite Espanola Op. 47. Marked Serenade, this is a beautiful evocation of the city of Granada in southern Spain.
Estudio Sin Luz by Andres Segovia (1893-1987)
The title means ‘A study without light’. This piece was composed during a period of convalescence after an eye operation to restore Segovia's failing eyesight. It is dedicated to his optician Jose Rubio.
Organ Postlude: Chorale Prelude - As Pants the Hart for Cooling Streams (tune: Martyrdom) by C. H. Parry.
Parry worked at the Royal College of Music, London, and in Oxford. He is most beloved by worshippers for his musical setting of the hymn 'Jerusalem'.