The Frieze of American History in the Capitol Rotunda includes 19 panels. Each was painted in true fresco fashion with pigment added to wet plaster. As you can imagine time is of the essence with this technique. Each panel had to be painted in the same day the plaster was applied. Each panel is 8 feet 4 inches in height and the total circumference of the frieze is 300 feet. It is 58 feet above the floor.

This frieze was begun in 1877. Three artists worked on this masterpiece – Constantino Brumidi, an immigrant from Italy; Filippo Costaggini, an artist trained in Rome; and Allyn Cox, who finished this work in 1953. Each artist painted the convincing illusion of relief, a stunning accomplishment.                     

The Architect of the Capital stated a hope and goal that the light and shadow of our country’s history would be included in this frieze in the people’s gallery in the people’s house. That quote seems eerily appropriate this week as does this photo of the frieze in light and shadow.

I think we can all imagine another panel of both shadow and light dated January 6, 2021. In my mind the mob of hate and destruction would be included only in the dark, blurry recesses of the background of this panel while Officer Brian D. Sicknick; Representative Jason Crow; the staffers who had the presence of mind to take the certificate chests to safety; and other heroes we are learning of would be in a bright foreground representing all that is good, courageous, and honorable.

I know many of us shy away from words like “evil” in our faith vocabularies, but we are now challenged to find other words for the reality of a hate-filled, political marauder who violently killed another with a fire extinguisher. How else do we describe what was on full display on January 6 and has been on full display in many other days and places in this country and in our world? How do we find a place for this darkness in our way of seeing the world and being in the world?

We are called by our faith to return our thoughts, now and eternally, to light and love. May our prayer be that in the days ahead and with eyes opened to this and our own shadows, we will push our wounded hearts back into the light, the guidance and grace of God. May we pray to use our words and actions to prove again and again that there is no scarcity of kindness and maturity, of compassion and humility in this world. May we each pray to show instead that there is an abundance of these that we can share in innumerable, authentic ways each day and in the name of God.  

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.  – John 1:5

Amen.

In faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty

Minister of Children and Families

Montview Church