October Tea with the Deacon

Cristo della Moneta [Christ of the Coin], (1516),
Titian, Tiziano Vecelli (1488 - 1576), Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden

We started our conversation with the Gospels, as an alternate means to gather and spend a little time with scripture during what we thought would be a short pause with Covid-19.  However, here we are, months later without sharing time together in person.  While I realize this historical moment can be trying for some of us, I have grown to savor the conversations we share with John and Matthew via Zoom.

Since we are still within the season after Pentecost (Ordinary Time), there is more time to share our journey with the Gospel according to Matthew.  Therefore, we will proceed with our ‘Tea with the Deacon’ into October.  Of course, do not be shy.  If you have not joined us thus far, jump on aboard and take part in the conversation.

Now, a little about the art in this article.  I first liked Titian’s work for his namesake, Tiziano.  I have a cousin who is an art teacher in Houston Texas.  Titian influenced him so much that he named his son Tiziano. 

My appreciation for his work has more to do with representation.  Cristo della Moneta had a personal reference for Alfonso I d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, who commissioned the piece in 1516.  A little like first century Palestine, the Duke’s territories in Northern Italy faced divided loyalties for both the Holy Roman Empire and the increasing gain of the Papal State.   This offered the characters in the painting a particular meaning for him.  With the gain of the Papacy upon his territory, the trap set for Jesus by the question was one with which Alfonso could identify. 

I believe Titian expressed this personal experience in the close face-to-face interaction with the characters in this painting, (Jesus and the disciple of the Pharisees.)  There seems to be a hesitation of the Jesus character to accept the coin, as the character offering it is moving forward into the frame in his anticipation for the trap.  The characters gazing into one another’s eyes heightens the drama of the entrapment.  Even today, we may experience emotional turmoil when faced with a truth of the Gospel, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”.

Join us in this journey with a cup of tea or coffee throughout October on Sundays at 1 p.m. via Zoom.  The Zoom invitation link is below.

Grace and Peace

Rev. Arthur W. Villarreal
Deacon

Arthur Villarreal is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: October Tea with the Deacon

Time: Oct 4, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 Every week on Sun, until Oct 25, 2020, 4 occurrence(s)

Oct 4, 2020 01:00 PM

Oct 11, 2020 01:00 PM

Oct 18, 2020 01:00 PM

Oct 25, 2020 01:00 PM

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