During Black History Month, C4SO celebrates artist Laura James, whose religious art is at the forefront of the movement toward a more inclusive representation of Biblical figures. On each Sunday during February, as well as Ash Wednesday, we have licensed one of Laura’s paintings/icons to illuminate one of the lectionary readings. Below are questions and prompts for you to do Visio Divina, or “sacred seeing,” an ancient form of Christian prayer in which we allow our hearts and imaginations to enter into a sacred image to see what God might have to say to us.
Painting A Sermon for Our Ancestors (2006) by Laura James
Lectionary Reading | Ash Wednesday, February 17: Isaiah 58:1-12
“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Visio Divina | Instructions
PRAY: Open your heart, mind, body to God. Pray, “Open the eyes of my heart Lord” (Ephesians 1:17). Or “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
QUICK LOOK: Look at the image for the day. Observe your initial reaction, your reflexive thoughts or memories. Are you drawn to anything in the image? This is time for non-judgmental observation of the image and yourself. Simply notice, become aware in the moment, allowing the image to capture your imagination.
READ: Take a moment and read the associated scriptures. With the image in your mind let the words of scripture begin to highlight aspects of the image or initial thoughts you had about it.
DEEP LOOK: Look again at the image. Observe the forms, figures, colors, textures and movements at work. What jumps out to you? What draws you in, what stirs indifference or even disdain? How is it connected to the scripture? Again, gently notice the feelings, thoughts, memories, reactions that are rising to your surface. How might you describe the image? How might you describe how you feel looking at the image?
ASK: Ask that the Lord would speak. What might He want to say to you? How might He want to form you in these moments? Ask God to clarify what has stood out, and why is the Spirit drawing your attention in this way?
RECORD: Write down some of your observations, thoughts, feelings, or reactions to the image and scripture.
LOOK & PRAY: As you look at the image a final time, ask the Lord if there is anything you missed. Let your eye gaze over the image and see if anything new stands out. If it does, look deep again.
RESPOND: Ask God how you should respond to his word to you in these moments. Wonder with God how you could act on what you have noticed and heard. Ponder how this encounter with God might form you. Does your response have any tangible action associated with it? Confession? Repentance? Gratitude? Praise? Forgiveness? Lament? Service?
WRITE: You might write down a word or phrase that captures your experience. It can also be helpful to record more details of your experience after the initial word or phrase. Add to what you’ve already written. Document your gratitude and your need for help and guidance as you continue on your day.