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Angelsatmamre Trinity Andrei Rublev 1410
Before reading this reflection, sit quietly for a few minutes. Inhale and exhale to the count of five taking deep breaths. Reflect on this icon and listen for a word or phrase that “speaks” to you this day.
For Reflection: In these times of liminal space, a familiar piece of art brings comfort and creates space for us to breathe into a holy place. Brought up Baptist, I learned that icons were “catholic,” and we were not to spend any time with them. Much to my delight, in a “how to be a catholic course” (which I failed BTW), I learned that icons are a window into God’s soul, a visual scripture. Not very well-known Russian artist, Andrei Rublev, prayed over each stroke of his brush and created a window from the realities of our lives into the realm of God’s power.
Notice the details of this icon. Inspired by the story of the three angels coming to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre, they transform into the Trinity (left to right, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.) Notice their clothing representing heaven, earth, water, sky. Jesus is in earthly red and heavenly blue colors with God and the Holy Spirit in blues, greens and translucent colors. They are sitting at the table, and the only chalice on it is filled with a lamb.
Imagine yourself sitting and completing the circle of people around the table. Folklore has it that there was originally a mirror where the rectangle is on the front of the table so that when you are looking at the Icon, you can see yourself at the table.
There are days I would much rather be in a tent with the Trinity than be here. My heart breaks for our nation right now. I am calling these times the “trifecta of pandemics” (humor the Kentucky Derby roots). None of them started in 2020, but this is where they have collided and are getting our attention.
- We have a Pandemic of contempt in political matters so deep that it is impossible for people of opposite views to talk and work together. (Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt, 2019. This book offers a simple “how to’ on being a person who builds bridges instead of boundaries.) This pandemic didn’t start in 2016. It has been brewing and building for many years
- We have the COVID-19 Pandemic where, to date, 118K Americans have died and 2.17M have had the virus. Many feel that sheltering in place has gone on far too long while isolation has taken its toll on most of us. Unemployment is at an all-time high, and no medical solution to the virus is available. This threat didn’t begin in 2020. It has been building for a while. During their presidencies, George W. Bush and Obama both said that we needed to prepare for a virus of pandemic proportions.
- We have a Pandemic of racial inequality. The racism happening today is not new. It has been a part of our country for over 400 years. But light is now being shed on it because there are cell phones and video cameras documenting the abuse. There is evidence and proof for those who have been decrying and experiencing the inequality and mistreatment and for those of who have been blind to it.
The perfect storm of this trifecta of pandemics brings with it the hope and opportunity for us to really lean into our faith and to come to the Table. We can do this literally at home with virtual communion or we can do this by silently imagining ourselves sitting with the three in the icon; liminal space transformed into a holy place. What a promise. We cannot pull away from the table and think our way through this. The wounds are too deep.
Contemplation: During these days, pray for our country’s transformation to be one of equality for all people and for bipartisan policymaking and implementation to break the bonds of systematic racism particularly in criminal justice, education, voting, and housing. Pray that as we think through how best to love each other and our neighbors, we will not let our ideas, solutions, or political parties divide or define us. Pray for us be united in our identities as children of God and the body of Christ. Pray for God’s wisdom to prevail and lead us through our next steps with COVID-19 and pray that our hearts and minds will be patient, gracious, and generous with each other. At the table, we pray in the sovereignty of our Lord to transcend and move among us. The church has left the building!
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