Adam and Eve

Sunday, March 10, 2024 12:00 pm EST

Anders Ove, Art Handler at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, shares the artwork entitled Holy Trinity and is attributed to the Byzantine tradition. Although there are doctrinal differences between Roman Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox Church, they both agree on the profound mystery of the Trinity.

In this depiction of the Holy Trinity, which illustrates the style embraced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, Jesus sits in the center on the left dressed as a priest, with God the Father seated at the right, his hand raised in a gesture of blessing.

Between them, the dove represents the Holy Spirit hovering in a gold halo. The group is surrounded by nine choirs of angels, two of whom give Jesus wine and bread for the Eucharist, a liturgical replay of the Last Supper. At the center top, angels ascend while carrying Jesus’ body, reminding us that he died for our sins. At the bottom, the figures of Adam and Eve bow to the celestial vision—the promise of redemption made in Genesis is finally realized in full.

This intricate composition communicates many Lenten themes, but today our attention will be directed towards this humble pair—Adam and Eve—as they symbolize all of us. Yielding to temptation, making regrettable decisions, influencing others to sin, concealing in shame, and assigning blame, these archetypal figures demonstrate that even in the most ideal settings, we struggle to live as God directs us.

Regardless of the perfection of the surroundings, the effectiveness of a governance system, or the quality of leadership, humanity relies on the guidance of the Son, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the leadership of the Father to bring redemption and restoration to our hearts.

Today, may we each humbly acknowledge our need for the infinite love of the Trinity.

This Lent, ThinkND invites you to join FaithND and the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art for a journey of Lenten discovery through some of the most significant liturgical paintings in the Raclin Murphy collection, challenging you to contemplate prayer, fasting, sinfulness, mercy, grace, and God’s infinite love from the perspectives of the artist’s gaze. To subscribe to the FaithND Daily Gospel Reflection visit faith.nd.edu/signup.