A Puzzling Painting

source: theauthor
He seems to stare sadly at Thomas
strangely absent in the picture
yet vitally aware of
the resurrected Christ
loosely draped in blue.

In the pale light of encounter
His eyes search for a response
piercing unfathomable depths
a tangle of thoughts
swaying in hesitation.
A face full of sympathy
and untold understanding
speaks in silence
feeling the force of loving presence.

Jesus’ wounded, stretched hand
invites him who cries out
in divine recognition
“My Lord, and my God.”

Drenched in compassion
He looks straight ahead
and a tide of shame washes over me
for I too am riddled with doubt.

Captured again and again
by a forgiving love
I choke in the shadows,
for belief is a process
and part of me has fallen asleep.

Truth rushes
in the middle of my
fragmented thought,
as the artist of life
tenderly touches my landscape
and the words stumble out in awe
“My God, and my All!”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++


Visio Divina (holy looking) of Andrei Mironov’s painting “The Unbelief of St. Thomas

Viola Athaide, a student of Theology, is actively involved in parish life, leading Bible courses, the Prayer Group, and the Ministry with Maturing Adults.

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12 Comments
  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 08:58h, 05 April Reply

    Thank you so much Viola!

  • Mario Coutinho
    Posted at 12:09h, 05 April Reply

    Hi Viola,
    Your poem potrays very eloquently what I experience every so often but am unable to express as well as you!
    God bless you for sharing
    Mario

  • Sylvia Lee
    Posted at 14:04h, 05 April Reply

    Thank you Viola for sharing the poem. Happy Easter !

    Christ has died .. Christ is risen .. Christ will come again ..
    Praise to God .. Hallelujah !

  • Cathy Schwan
    Posted at 16:13h, 05 April Reply

    Beautiful Viola! Thank-you!

  • Rosa Scarpino
    Posted at 17:29h, 05 April Reply

    Thank you so much Viola for making me see all that you see in that beautiful picture of our Lord.
    God bless you,

  • Karen Arthurs
    Posted at 09:55h, 06 April Reply

    The beauty of art thus expressed….”for belief is a process”….a door to reality, and unbelief is not disbelief.

  • Jacqui Hubbard
    Posted at 11:26h, 06 April Reply

    Your poems never cease to amaze me and touch me to the core of my soul

  • Mario Coutinho & Olivia Coutinho
    Posted at 12:11h, 06 April Reply

    That was beautifully written, Viola. I could not write like that.
    God Bless
    Olivia Coutinho

  • Teresa Correia
    Posted at 20:20h, 06 April Reply

    This is so beautifully described, Viola thank God for you!

  • Lorella D'Cruz
    Posted at 09:27h, 07 April Reply

    Here is an instance of art inviting us to reflect on the divine. We see through your eyes the risen Christ in His radiant glory, yet exuding forgiveness, sympathy and compassion. Well done, Viola!

  • Ornella Vecchio
    Posted at 14:07h, 07 April Reply

    There is “no doubt” that your words are channeled from the Divine. Always moved and inspired. Thank you Viola.

  • Fay Vaz
    Posted at 13:35h, 14 April Reply

    a painting a worth a thousand words and this artist has so beautifully captured it all and Viola you have expressed it as always have so very well capturing all expressions and giving us so much to think about.

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