This work by the artist Duccio of the early Italian Renaissance is a remarkably clear and precise gospel image of a healing act of Jesus. This composition from background to foreground takes our eyes to the central image of Jesus. The moment of his healing, restoring touch is frozen in time for us here. This is also an image of transformation. The blind man’s changed life is represented by two images of him. He is touched by Jesus on the left and then his image is repeated and turned to look away from Jesus, up and out at the world he is seeing for the first time. This masterwork was painted with egg tempera on wood as part of an altarpiece for the cathedral in Siena.

In this Holy Week in this year and within the events of this month, our need to know the healing touch painted here seems great. We need this touch to renew our tired eyes and hearts and spirits. We need this touch to remember the limitless possibilities of the story of Jesus and the love of God who sent him.

As the poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote, “You must change your life.”  In prayer and quiet during the holy week before us, a week of worldly chaos and all manner of things unresolved, may we seek to change our lives, releasing all that we are and all that we have to the forgiving, inspiring, healing touch of God. May we each take our place before God in humble, steadfast faith and then transformed by grace, turn back to the world changed and renewed. New vision. New hope. New love. Amen.

In hope and blessing,

Sandy Prouty

Minister of Children and Families

Montview Church