This picture keeps coming into my mind. It was a favourite of my father, whose centenary was on Tuesday. It is The Angelus, by French artist Jean Millet. The two farm workers have ceased their labours at the end of the day, and hearing the bell tolling from the distant church tower, they bow their heads in prayer.
If this year's period of Lent is teaching me anything, it is the importance of taking time out to pause, and to humbly reconnect, just as this couple are doing.
I remember Dad telling me that this picture reminded him of three important aspects of the Christian life -
- work - whoever we are, as Christians, there is something God wants to do for him. Running a holiday club, making a donation to a food bank, listening to a friend, or spending time in prayer...
- worship - acknowledging God's love and grace - we can worship with others, or alone
- women - recognising that Jesus treated all as equal, and respected women [he respected the faith of women, spoke to them and taught them - and after the resurrection, it was a woman he appeared to first] Christian women have a role working in the Church beside men, not behind them.
Thank you for this morning’s lovely and thoughtful post. Love Isabel
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DeleteSome touching reminders, thank you Angela.
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DeleteWonderful thoughts this morning. Thank you, Angela.
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DeleteLovely, Angela. Thank you.
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DeleteI love your Father 's thoughts and agree. Kx
ReplyDelete👍♥️ He taught me so much
DeleteA very good reminder in the Lent.
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DeleteVery perceptive thoughts. Thank you for posting them.
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DeleteYour Dad was a very wise man x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I miss him so much!
DeleteThank you for sharing your father’s thoughts with us today. A wise man. Catriona
ReplyDeleteHe really was.
DeleteI so agree. Peace and joy be with you.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
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DeleteThat painting speaks volumes. I can't help but contrast it with the lack of the sound of church bells in our present day, except in certain countries that I have visited. One could look at that painting for a long time and feel the peace, and the sharing of worship.
ReplyDeleteThere is a world of difference, isn't there, between these two reaching the end of their working days, stopping for a moments prayer - and the noise of traffic, as workers nowadays go home in the Rush Hour, squealing brakes, shouting, and car horns...
DeleteI enjoyed reading your Pause in Lent post, Angela and I enjoyed reading about the painting. When I was working, I used to take the time I commuted to and from work to say my prayers and when I worked downtown, I could hear the cathedral bells ring the hour.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to hear the Cathedral bells
DeleteBeing a teacher, and someone who was educated in a convent, I need to point out that this wasn’t at the end of their work, the Angelus is said at midday. It’s similar to a Moslem call to prayer. Whatever lesson we were in, at 12o’clock the Angelus bell would ring , and we would stop what we were doing and the Angelus prayers were said. Even though I wasn’t a Roman Catholic, I used to enjoy this quiet moment with God! Although there was the year that we exchanged the statue of the Virgin Mary with one of a horse, and it took weeks for any adults to notice… Penny L
ReplyDeleteThank you Penny, yes the Angelus IS said at midday, you are right. Bit conventionally it is said THREE times a day - so also at 6am and 6pm. The position of the sun, and the basket full of potatoes suggests this painting depicts the end of their day. I do agree with you, a quiet moment with God is special, at whatever time it happens.
DeleteI stand corrected😀I’d forgotten that it wasn’t just when I was at school that it was said. I also love the fact that you have scientific reasoning as to why it’s the evening. This was the first comment that I’ve managed to get Google to let me make for ages, so as I hope this one goes through too, I want to say Thank you for all your wonderful posts. I’ve had pleasure, and learned many things from your blog, for a very long time, so thank you for all the effort and time you give to us. Happy International Women’s Day, Happy Easter, and may God bless you and your family. X
DeleteNo problem Penny. Thanks for your kind words, and I'm sorry that you cannot always get your comments to post. I type my comment, then press SELECT ALL then COPY, before I press PUBLISH. If the comment won't go through, then I refresh the page, and press PASTE then PUBLISH in the comments space. That usually works
Delete😊 thank you
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