During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, C4SO celebrates artist He Qi, who reinterprets sacred art within an ancient Chinese art idiom. His work is a blend of Chinese folk art and traditional painting technique with the iconography of the Western Middle Ages and Modern Art. On each Sunday during May, we have licensed one of He’s paintings to illuminate one of the lectionary readings. We will provide 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 show us.

Painting Jesus Calls His Disciples by He Qi

Lectionary Reading | Sunday, May 2: John 14:15-21, “Abiding in Christ”

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Visio Divina | Prompt

As you enter into this time of prayer and contemplation, notice that Jesus is calling His disciples to share life with him. Jesus has offered the same invitation to you. He meets you where you are, just like He did the disciples in John 14:18: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Do you remember when he invited you to journey with him?

As you look at the image of Jesus calling the disciples, imagine His loving gaze and open arms as He calls them to follow him. Imagine that same loving gaze directed toward you. Remember the promise Jesus offers in this week’s scripture—not only will He come to you, but He has promised to give you the Spirit of Truth to dwell in you and empower you for this life with God through Christ.

Are you aware of the Spirit now? Can you sense His power? Today’s scripture also reminds us of the difficulty life will bring, the sense of being orphaned, opposed, surrounded by chaos and hate. Notice the water in our image—this ancient symbol of chaos and opposition. Remember this is where Jesus meets us; where the Spirit embodies his title of Helper; and where God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, comes to us, dwells with us, and leads us in love and instruction.

In the next few minutes, become aware of God’s presence. Welcome Him into your chaos and struggle. Dwell with Him as He dwells with you and be open to His instruction and guidance.

Learn more about Artist He Qi