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from the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (18th century translation)

Thou, O God,

dost sell unto us all good things

at the price of labor...

da Vinci's prayer is short. So short, in fact, that - if you're like me - you're left wondering what he means? Is he implying that God is a kind of divine merchant for whom we work in effort to receive good things? Is it satire, or sarcasm? Perhaps no one, save for da Vinci (and God), can say for certain. But da Vinci seems to have been filled with questions about God; he believed that God meted out punishments and rewards based on the quality of his productions, for example. And at the end of his life, he is reported to have said: "I have done so little with it [my life]." And yet, as we'll see below in the reflect section, some of his pieces hit the mark in ways that his thoughts, words, and feelings miss. The good news about da Vinci's prayer - and our own prayers - is that our words aren't often the right words. But it doesn't matter. God receives them, no matter what they are, and loves us anyway.

The painting on the to the left and on top, that's Leonardo da Vinci's John the Baptist. It's an interesting piece because - despite da Vinci's belief that one had to work to earn the love of God - here, John is pointing at something that isn't visible. And it's not just invisible in this photo of the painting, no. What John the Baptist is pointing at isn't visible in same piece which hangs in the Louvre!

What do you think John is pointing to?

Most interpreters believe that (in true John fashion), he is pointing to Jesus on the cross. In which case, the theological position inherent in such an interpretation has to do with the fact that the events of Holy Week - and what happens on the cross - are the things which we should remain fixed on. And yet, there's nothing to well, do, when it comes to the Cross of Christ.

No work to be done.

No statements to be made.

All that can really be done? Is recognize that something incredible, miraculous, and salvific (whatever that even means) happens there.

Not a bad piece for a guy who seems to have felt he needed to work for God's love (let's cut him some slack though, because I suspect we all do that sometimes, don't we?).

Also, as we move toward Pentecost, da Vinci's piece is a good reminder not to let Jesus out of our sight. You never know what that guy is going to do...

It's one of the BEST Sundays of the year - Youth Sunday! You'll lead us in worship at 10:30 am and we'll recognize this year's graduating senior, Elias Lokken!

Here's what we need:

• 3 lectors (to read & pray)
• 2 ushers
• 2 oblation bearers
• 1-2 AV/Tech Support pros
• 2 cookies and lemonade servers
• ...and Acolytes

Let me know how you want to serve, and I will provide everything you need to lead us!

Inspired by the lives of saints like Francis and Martin or Tours and Therese and Catherine, St. John’s Hero Academy VBS invites children to consider how following Jesus’ call to love and serve others is the most heroic thing of all. Children will create projects in the Hero Maker Design Studio, play high-energy games in the Gamer’s Gauntlet, hear stories of the faithful in the Hero Archives, and relax with a treat or two and the Holy Hero Caf?. All the while, they will discover that we can indeed serve like the saints!

This year, we are partnering with the 3^rd Street Boys and Girls Club once more and hope to show God’s love and care to even more children than last year! But this means that WE NEED YOUR HELP! IF you would like to volunteer to help with VBS, read the volunteer descriptions HERE. Then sign up next to your desired work area with your name and availability HERE.

Acolytes for Sunday

You can find the NEW acolyte schedule from now - June, 2026 HERE!

Questions? Contact Sam

sam@stjohnsdecatur.org |662-656-653