"Sometimes a picture can be breathtakingly theological." Says James Kushiner, one of the Sr Editors at "Touchstone Magazine" in their blog "mere comments" in it's January archives. He goes on to explain that this picture, showing Fr. Patrick Reardon of All Saints Orthodox Church lifting a newly-baptized infant above the altar, as is the custom, while the congregation sings Simeon's Nunc Dimittis, was just such a picture for him.
The icon, of course, shows Christus Victor trampling down the gates of hell and grasping the hand of Adam, raising him up from the dead. Notice the baby's raised arm! Helpless Adam, helpless Man, helpless infant: but now our "eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." Alleluia.
And sometimes a blog can be the source of much prayer and meditation. Amen, Mr Kushiner, amen.
2 comments:
I had the pleasure of hearing Father Reardon speak at a conference once. It was a tour de force. That talk is available in the book Reclaiming the Great Tradition which can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Great-Tradition-Evangelicals-Catholics/dp/0830818898/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201443281&sr=1-2
Excellent! Thanks for posting that link. I also want to include good books in this space- for children and adults, classics and new. Anything by Father Reardon probably will qualify. Thanks
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