| The Misereor 2007 Lenten Veil
by Li Jinyuan, China
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The Misereor 2007 Lenten Veil invites you to let yourself be challenged by the Sermon on the Mount during the time of fasting and contemplation between Ash Wednesday and Easter.
Jesus teaches his disciples certain basic attitudes which we will try to re-discover in this Lenten Veil.
Translating essential features of Jesus’ first Sermon into a painting, the Chinese artist Prof. Li Jinyuan has given us wonderful pictures which tell us what it means to be a disciple of Christ. “Discover what counts…”
… is the motto of the 2007 Misereor Lenten Campaign. Indeed, to ‘discover what counts’ is ultimately the meaning and purpose of fasting, and at the same time this motto refers to the thematic focus of our 2007 Lenten Campaign: the human right to education.
The Lenten Veil provides a special and exciting way of access to our campaign focus: It spells out artistically, theologically and spiritually what education can mean. Colours and forms
This Lenten Veil shines and fills the room with its beaming light. The warm and brilliant impression created by the colours yellow, ochre and red contrasts with the solemnity and gravity of the "non-colours" black and grey. A radiant cross of light which gradually opens itself towards heaven finds its centre in Christ addressing the multitudes from the top of a hill or mountain. Fire, water, spirit
The Spirit descends upon Jesus – a scene which reminds us of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. A fire is burning at his feet, beneath which there is a brilliant red stamp with elaborate Chinese characters: “The highest good is like water” (Lao Tse, Dao De Jing). The fire stands for the coming Kingdom of God that makes everything new and consumes the old. The water, Li Jinyuan tells us, is like Christ: it is kind, it gives to all without distinction, and does not take. Jesus was baptised with water and with the Spirit. The heavens open, and the Kingdom of God gushes forth from above and below. Blessed are you…
In the red circles, Li Jinyuan has painted individual scenes referring to four of the Beatitudes from the Gospel according to Matthew (starting at top left, clockwise): “Blessed are the poor in spirit ”; “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake”; “Blessed are the peacemakers”; and “Blessed are those who mourn”.
Here we are faced with attitudes which are a challenge to all those who wish to share in the discipleship of Jesus. Promised – the Kingdom of Heaven
The rounded shape of the tree’s crown, itself formed from a forest of small trees, is a reference to the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Just as the mustard seed, sustainable education needs initiative, time to grow, appropriate care and support, to be able to bear fruit. The smallest of all seeds is a symbol for the Kingdom of Heaven which becomes a reality.
Sailing on the sea are numerous junks, with people busy at work on their decks. The junks are carrying the teachings of Jesus out into the world, to all those who are poor in spirit, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, who are the peacemakers. The artist
Prof. Li, who was born in 1945, teaches Chinese painting at University in the city of Chengdu, China. It was not before 1979, after the cultural revolution, and periods of time spent in prison and re-education camp, that he made painting his profession. Since then his career path has been marked by numerous awards, study trips to other countries in Asia and Europe, and international exhibitions.
His paintings revolve around the grand theme of harmony between heaven and earth, between the divine and the earthly, between humankind and nature.
The large and the small Lenten Veils will be available from December 2006.
In January 2007, the following resources will be published: - “Arbeitsheft” (Workbook) with CD ROM (only in German)
- 7 morning vigils for children and youth (only in German)
- 7 meditations by Fr Anton Rotzetter (only in German)
- OHP transparencies (with accompanying text in German)
- slides (with accompanying text in German)
- picture sheets on the Lenten Veil
- explanatory leaflet on the Lenten Veil – this will be available
in English - decorative cards showing Lenten Veil or details
- music CD for meditation
Contact address:
kolletzki@misereor.de
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[ English
