The Third Sunday of Easter
Appearance While the Apostles are at Table, (Duccio di Buoninsegna, ca. 1255 - 1319) is a tempera on wood painting housed in the Museo deli’Opera Metropolitana del Duomo in Italy.
In this painting, Jesus appears again to his Apostles. They “were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost.” Christ wanted them to be at peace and he set about to reassure them that he was not a ghost but was truly present in “flesh and bones.” They wanted to believe – they were astonished by his presence, but still hesitated. Jesus dispelled their disbelief by taking the fish they had for their meal and he ate it. We can imagine the Apostles observing closely each bite he took eagerly waiting to see what would happen, their dawning understanding and the complete joy they experienced when they realized their Saviour was before them, alive and whole.
This scene is taken from one of many panels found on the back of Duccio’s immense work, the Maesta. Notice the fish on the table, available for Christ to take and eat. The front panel is a tribute to Mary and she is presented as a willing intercessor for anyone wanting to speak to Jesus. The back panel contains the scenes of Christ’s life, including the above painting, in magnificent detail.
From today’s Gospel: Jesus said to his Apostles, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
May we, in this wonderful season of Easter, have our minds opened to Scripture, so we too, with our lives, be witnesses to the Resurrection.
For further facts on the Maesta (front), see: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/late-gothic-italy/siena-late-gothic/v/duccio-maesta-front-1308-11
For further facts on the Maesta (back) see: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/late-gothic-italy/siena-late-gothic/v/duccio-maesta-back-1308-11
Continue your journey with one of these:
The Second Sunday of Easter
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas , (Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, painted 1601 - 02) is an oil painting housed in the Sanssouci Picture Gallery, in Postsdam Germany. This Sunday’s Gospel is...
The Vigil - Easter Sunday
“The Harrowing of Hell,” from Saint Nicholas and Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church, Vancouver BC. From an ancient homily, author unknown: “Something strange is happening – there is a great...