Click on the title to open the document.
Bartimaeus
It is a curious name. Bar is Hebrew for “son” and “Timaeus” was the title given by Plato to a dialogue and a character, Timaeus of Locri. In the dialogue, written in 360BC, Timaeus speaks about the origins of the world. Hebrew and Greek, Jew and Gentile—might there be some symbolic meaning in the blind man’s name that adds weight to what he says? I titled the piece “I Closed My Eyes So I Could See,” which is a quote from the French artist Paul Gauguin (1848-1903).
Judas Iscariot
He was an enigmatic figure. Dante assigned him to the lowest level of hell. Second century Gnostics on the other hand made him the hero of the story. Gospel writers never mentioned his name without also qualifying him as the betrayer of Jesus. One contemporary theologian noted that all groups trying to affect change have a Judas figure, a traitor who fails to keep the faith. His story of doom and gloom is told to keep the faithful on the straight and narrow for who knows, a little bit of Judas might lurk within our own hearts.
Rich Man
The story of the Rich Man is found in Mark 10:17-31. I describe my encounter with him and how his story has impacted my at various points in my life. I am grateful for the insights of Ronald Rolheiser in his book Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity concerning this story.
Jacob
The life of Jacob is the story of hands. The first picture that you see of Jacob is his hands grabbing his brother’s heal as he emerged from the womb. That is how he got his name—heal grabber. The last picture in his life was on his deathbed, hands crossed, blessing his two grandsons. It took 147 years to go from grabbing to blessing. The critical transition point in his life was a wrestling match with God in Genesis 32. Jacob let go of all he had acquired in the first half of his life and grabbed onto God.
Elijah
The story of Elijah, found in the book of Kings, took place in the 8th century BC during a time of chaos and confusion. Elijah, whose name means El is Yah or God is Yahweh was called to action. His job was to confront false religion, clear out the pantheon, and called a recalcitrant people back to their roots. He performed his dangerous task with authority, humility, and humor.
Esther
Beginning in 1886 French archeologist explored the royal Persian city of Susa which is now located in Northern Iran. They excavated the ruins of the winter palace that was built by Darius the Great. The Book of Esther took place in that palace. On the walls of the palace they discovered ancient stone relief sculptures which now hang in the Louvre in Paris. This series of paintings explores the Book of Esther using that relief painting idea.
The Touch
In chapter 5 of the Gospel of Mark, the story is told of a woman who had suffered for twelve years from a bleeding condition. She went to Jesus seeking healing. This reflection is a first person account of what I imagined the woman might have said to describe her encounter with Jesus.