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John 20:19-31

Our meditations end with the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ over death. It is the beginning of a new era for humankind a new creation.

After his Resurrection, Jesus sends His disciples into the world, as the Father had sent him, and breathes the Holy Spirit upon them. Empowered by the Triune God, present in the beginning of the disciples commission, the Church began a journey which has bound all of us Christians together for the last two millenia.

Before Christ, the cross was a symbol of death, pain and fear. After Christ, it has become a symbol of hope and salvation. It reminds us that our Lord is risen, that he gave us a mission, and that we should proclaim His message throughout the world.

The cross depicted on this painting is based on a design drafted by a child who is like a son to me. His willingness to draw a cross reminds all of us that the mission of the Church has to go on, and that the redeeming message of the Risen Christ is not only for us, but for all generations that will come after us. Lambeth is over, but we have still much to do. Let us go forth in peace.

Painting dimensions: 20 X 30 cm
Suggested donation: £ 200.00 or US$ 400.00

John 18:1-18

Have you ever felt betrayed? Probably yes. Circumstances such as the one described in this reading are, perhaps, the most difficult ones for human beings to deal with.

Betrayal, for us humans, often is accompanied by vengeance. After all, this is the “right thing” to do in many people’s minds.

Jesus, however, does not cede to such temptations. Even at that critical moment, He acted with love and tenderness. This passage shows the last explicit “I am” saying. It points out a moment of transition from his teaching to his suffering on the cross.

For us Christians, it is important to know that even in moments of betrayal, we can always shine Jesus’ light and be an example. This should be our difference from the rest of the world: love and respect for all human beings, even to those who hurt and shame us.

Painting dimensions: 40 X 50 cm
Suggested donation: £ 200.00 or US$ 400.00

John 15:1-17

This is the last of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus, as recorded in St. John’s Gospel. This final statement uses the very familiar image of the vine, which had already been used extensively in Jewish religious imagery.

The image of the vine, however, is considerably different from the other seven images. It is the only reference to a living being in the “I Am” satements; a living organism which is dependent upon several internal and external conditions for its life. This dependency is further teased out with the inclusion of disciples within the image, as the vine’s branches.
Such a metaphor suggests that as the Body of Christ, we are all interconnected and part of one great organism. In order for each of us to have life and to be life-giving, we have to support each other and work together in order to live into the Kingdom of God, into which we all are connected. We are many branches, but share in the life of the one vine, Jesus Christ, who gives life to us all. We have no choice but to be together and overcome our differences for the sake of the unity Christ offers us as members of His Body.

Jesus empowers us to live into this unity by giving a new commandment- the commandment of love, by which we are taught a way of being together with Him and bearing fruit together.

Drawing dimensions (each): 15 X 20 cm
Suggested donation: £ 200.00 or US$ 400.00

John 13:31-14:14

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life”. This is one of the most widely known “I am” sayings in which Jesus is often seen as the way to Heaven by most believers. And although he is the way to eternal life, we often focus on the end of the way and not on the way per se.

Last week, hundreds of Anglican bishops marched in witness to the church’s commitment to the realization of the Millenium Development Goals. This walk of witness was not a mere political statement: they were leading their flocks to walk the way of the One who fed the hungry, healed the sick and taught us to love the poor as if they were Christ. This brings us, perhaps, to the thought that by following the One who is the Way, we are in fact following a way which takes us to everlasting life.

Our mission as Christians is to show all the Way (Jesus), not only in words, but also through coherent actions. Let us walk the Way of Jesus. Let Jesus be in each of our steps. Let us guide the world according to His loving principles, showing the One who truly is the way to fullness of life.

Painting dimensions: 40 X 50 cm
Suggested donation: £ 200.00 or US$ 400.00

John 11:1-44

This texts tells us one of the most famous stories in the Gospels: The raising of Lazarus form the tomb by Jesus, who brings him back ti life again after having been dead for four days.

Certainly, Lazarus’ family were overjoyed to have their beloved brother restored to life again, and in such a context, it is extremely easy to understand that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

However, Jesus’ Resurrection and the Life that he offers goes far beyond a mere recusitation. The Resurrection Life Jesus offers is a more profound resurrection: Jesus proclaims that all who believe in him will never die. This life is given to us in baptism, and all of us who believe in him have the hope of eternal life with God after our deaths; and, we have the promise of abundant and joyful life now. This hope is not for a few elite ones; Christ invites all humankind to eternal life, through his own Life, which brings Resurrection to all.

As Christians, we have possibly experienced the Risen Christ in so many ways in our lives. This triptych is composed of geometric designs representing death, grief and resurrection. The colors get more intense and some can even see a sun rising in one of the corners. Many of us have experienced times of despair and hopelessness, but through the Risen Christ, we experience victory and wholeness.

Painting dimensions (each one): 15 X 20 cm
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