Christ’s portrait in us

Scripture for Mass

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Psalm: 146(145):6c-7. 8-9a. 9b-10. Response: Matthew 5:3

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Matthew 5:1-12a

The initial broad brushstrokes of a portrait artist on a canvas can appear random and puzzling.  Then, when the outline of a face does appear, it might be that of any person. Gradually, however, thanks to numerous deft and delicate touches, the particular facial features of the subject emerge. Finally, when the portrait is complete, it captures not only the uniqueness of the subject’s physical appearance, but also something of their personality and aura.

The Beatitudes in Matthew’s gospel form the introduction to a long discourse known as the Sermon on the Mount. The collection of nine verses, each of which begins with ‘Blessed’, may be likened to the initial brushstrokes of an artist in that they form the broad outline of a portrait. Then, slowly but surely, through the succeeding one hundred brushstrokes or verses, Jesus develops and refines a unique and extraordinary portrait.

Whose portrait? That of a committed Christian, that of a missionary disciple of Christ, that of Jesus himself, who is the portrait of God.

St. Columban asks us to allow Christ to paint his portrait in us. However, for him to do that, we need to let go of our vain and shoddy efforts to paint a self-portrait. Our emptiness and trust in God form the blank canvas on which Christ inscribes those initial broad brushstrokes, the Beatitudes, in our hearts and lives. Then, through countless deft and delicate touches, he proceeds to paint a unique self-portrait in each of us until we are conformed completely to his own image.