April 2025

For Holy Week, we delve into our archive of past issues, and share again our reflections on art depicting the final hours of Jesus' life on earth.

Plus, we share a new poem of Bill's, for Good Friday, that was just published this week.

This issue's reflection is focused on "Crucifixion," an oil painting by George P. Englert, Jr. (Jan's uncle) which won 1st Place in a 1955 All-Army art contest. As property of the U.S. Army, the painting was on a 5-year world tour of art museums and Army installations including the finest Italian museums, followed by residency in the Pentagon until recently returned to the family.

For now, I am the keeper of the stories. As I ponder the striking oil painting, "Crucifixion," I see in it the reality of Jesus' suffering and death; I see in it my place with Mary and the Beloved Disciple at the foot of the cross; I see the redemptive event that unites us all as Christians; I see an image of "Le Devot Christ" which inspired this painting; I see my uncle George in casual conversation with Thomas Merton at Gethsemane Abbey (KY) where he was inspired to paint "Crucifixion"; I see "Crucifixion" being awarded 1st place in three All-Army art contests. Most of all I see the gentle man, George Englert, Jr, who inspired many and touched them with the love of Christ through his art.

Since the painting has been returned to the family, it has always held a place of prominence. Just recently it was passed on to me, the next eldest in line. As I ponder in prayerful imagination, remembrances of "my favorite uncle" arise afresh as if he were here with me now as he was 60 years ago. I, an impressionable pre-teen, was enthralled by his stories of love - love of art, of people all over the world, of photography, of Vermont snow skiing and ice skating, of adventure, and of his faith.

I hold dear the stories of George's life. He was a quiet, humble man, small of stature but a giant in the world of art, photography, and architecture. The stories cannot be contained in a 36" x 48" frame, no more than the magnitude and meaning of the "Crucifixion" can be contained. Likewise, the stories of the Crucifixion of Jesus we find in the Gospels cannot be contained, even by the human hearts. We continue to ponder. During this season of Lent, let us ponder the treasures that have been passed down to us and also what treasures we will leave to those who come behind us. Let us ponder the Crucifixion and Resurrection event that calls us into one family in redemptive love as Christians.  

--Jan

Holy Week should come with a warning label: Caution - If you fast-forward from the Hosannas of Palm Sunday to the Alleluias of Easter, you miss the point of the story.

The story of Jesus’ last week is not simply one of hope, but of hope that glimmers even in dark despair. The story speaks not just of triumph and joy, but of victories still possible after utter anguish.

Michael D. O’Brien’s painting of Christ in Gethsemane brings that truth home to me. Jesus looks exhausted. He cradles his head with his right arm, while blankly staring into the palm of his left hand. Does he search there for answers? For some chance of escape?

Does he see there the dim mirror of happy days in Galilee? Some clue to the motives for betrayal? Do the lines in his palm map the way to any path, any path at all, that bypasses the cross?

Commenting on his painting, O’Brien writes, “Gethsemane is the moment when [Jesus] feels with greatest intensity the weakness of our humanity and the malice of the enemy.” Holy week is not really a story for little girls in Easter dresses. Holy week is a story for those who have known weakness, for those who have felt malice. It is God’s gift to all who have ever prayed in the darkness, without getting answers. As the Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ says, "In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot ...."

Caution - If you fast-forward from the Hosannas of Palm Sunday to the Alleluias of Easter, you miss the point of the story. Journey into the dark, into the pain and the struggle. It is there that you will meet the full depth of God’s love. It is there that your heart will be opened to receive Easter joy.

--Bill

Please share Reflection freely by forwarding any issue (forward in its entirety), but remember to respect copyright laws by not altering, copying, or reproducing Reflection, text or photos, whole or in part, without written permission.

Copyright (c) 2025 Soul Windows Ministries