A Stroke of Love in An Image of Hope

Dear Friend,

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” The old familiar proverb was knocking around my head as I strolled through the Mission plaza a few days ago looking over this year’s I Madonnari offerings. How about, a picture is worth a thousand stories? Or a thousand words that make up a really good story? Let’s stay with this last version, I concluded, and think about the gospel text for Ascension Sunday, in which we hear the conclusion of Luke’s Gospel (which in the original, my Google search tells me, numbers 19,482 words).   

Mahri Leonard-Fleckman observes that our readings between now and Pentecost might lead us to imagine the Spirit’s coming as a fairytale-like ending to the story, resulting in instantaneous and worldwide conversion to Christ. But of course, she writes, the ending is not so simple. What actually happens is that the Holy Spirit begins to enlighten the “eyes of our heart” along a path of surprises. (cf. Ephesians, second reading).

Along these lines, two pictures from this year’s I Madonnari stand out to me. First there’s Judith Raimondi’s image of Pope Francis. He is extending a hand to release a dove, and therein lies a story of a pilgrim path of hope and surprise, evidenced by the startling election of his successor, Pope Leo. The second image is the one Tom Meaney created of his grandchildren. (It’s at the bottom of the church steps - portico side). Tom started with I Madonnari over forty years ago, creating images of his children. Tom’s picture is a story of “down-on-your-hands-and knees” commitment! 

The Holy Spirit, the promise Jesus names on the Feast of the Ascension, will allow us all to be co-creators with our generous and loving God. The Spirit can make our response to every challenge, a stroke of love in an image of hope! 

Gratefully,

Father Dan ofm