Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount is spread over three chapters in Matthew. It is the longest stretch of the quotations of Jesus. This is what is central in Christian ethics and morals. One part is the Beatitudes. Below are the panes in a two panel glass. Each contains a biblical episode that illustrates one of the Beatitudes. These were privately commissioned, and are in a personal residence. I spoke with the owner, and if my memory recall is sharp enough, he said the designer of the cartouche is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Parable about the Prodigal Son
And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him.Luke xv. 20.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment. Matthew ix. 20.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
And I went down into the potter's house, and behold he was doing a work on the wheel.  Jeremias xviii.3.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
There cometh a woman of Samaria, to draw water. Jesus saith to her: Give me to drink. John iv.7.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead.  And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by.  In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by.  But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion.Luke x. 30-3.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
And she catching the skirt of his garment, said: Lie with me. But he leaving the garment in her hand, fled, and went out. Genesis xxxix. 12.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. Matthew v. 23-4
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. 
And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death. Acts vii. 57-60

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