Rembrandt's "The Prodigal Son/Father"

Facebook has been a wonderful tool for us, it has opened a door to learn from others, “the huge picture” of who Christ is to this big ole’ world. We have chosen wisely folks from all over the world that share this love of Christ… that we may share with them and in turn they can share with us. One such person we have become FB friends with lives in Malta and he is an artist. He posted something so interesting and thought provoking… I just had to share it. I asked him to post it on my wall, so I could share it with all my FB friends.  He was more than willing, but it would not post as a new post. He was able to post it in an area of one of my old post? I then tried to cut and paste it as a new post and it would not copy.. hmmmmm what is going on here? I guess his privacy settings have created this problem? I was so determined to post this….so I painstakingly hand wrote it…then typed it. Why? I am crazy for Sacred Art! Did you know that before there was television, radio and the printing press folks were entertained by artist and learned about things, “like” faith and God. This is what our Artist friend in Malta shared and we just thought it was so cool! Update 11/01/11: Tony has a blog now and you have to visit it: http://wordofgodalmighty.blogspot.com/2011/10/sacrifice-of-holy-eucharist.html

This is what he wrote this morning to us and sharing so you can understand  “why” we wanted to share w/you. “Very Good Morning in the Lord. I shall try and post it as you asked., but, remember J&J, everybody's Life Story IS interesting and there is a lot one can learn from each other. Re Sacred Art, whenever I have a commission or paint a subject for my one satisfaction (very rarely), I always pray and meditate before I start, and try to put all my knowledge of the Scripture in the painting. God bless us all.”

Little bit about this Artist that I copied from his profile:

Am a full-time artist/painter. Participated in numerous exhibitions, both locally and abroad. I produced, to date, over 800 works. These are found in Museums and Private Collections in U'K., Germany, Australia, Canada, Ireland, California, Italy, New York, Scotland and Spain, besides Malta.
I am interested in History of Art, appreciate Classical Music and Gregorian Chant.
I take great interest in the study of the Holy Scripture and study of Biblical Commentaries. I hold weekly talks on the Sunday Gospel, with special reference to the contemporary life of Jesus, the Jewish History and Culture so as to understand better the message found in the Bible, a lot of hard work and study.

His Post we loved: Rembrandt, is here reminding us of Prophet Isaiah's words: "Can a mother forget her child ? Even if she does, I will never forget him. His name is written on the palm of my hand."

Why have I chosen, as my Profile Photo, a reproduction of Rembrandt’s famous ‘Prodigal Son/Father Father’ A very straight forward answer because it is ‘The story of my life’, not to say “Everybody life.’ I believe that this is the best photo, snapshot, I could produce, of my being… hugged and welcomed with LOVE by my MUM and DAD. “Ah, those were the days”, some might answer. You are right to say so, with one slight correction, these are the days. I returned Home when ever I decide to, and with God’s help, and still be warmly hugged by Mum and Dad. Now let’s get one thing is this possible? I am, ‘Thank be to God,’ 76 years old, ‘so how on earth am I going to be welcomed and hugged by Mum and Dad? Certainly, because in God we find the Maternal and Paternal love. The repentant son represents each and every one of us, as long as we return to the Father’s house. We are always welcomed back, and what a welcome that would be. That is the message of this well known Parable, which many scholars believe, was Christ favorite.

We have, for sure, very often misbehaved and acted insensibly and, I dare say, without showing any sign of responsibility towards ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’, and they, for sure deserve better, we are much indebted to them.

This message is found for the hidden a message. Just look at the pair of hands, and arms of the old man the father. They are different from each other. Look at them well. The left hand is surely a man’s hand, strong, virile, muscular,, note the shadows on the back of the son, he is using pressure, he is encouraging him, inspiring him with hope and the start of a new life, sort of. ‘Come on get up, don’t worry, we shall start anew, be brave.’ This is surely the father’s behavior.

Now look at the other hand, on the right. That is not a man’s hand, that, for sure is a woman’s hand ‘full of’  grace, genteel, refined, using little or no pressure, as if patting the face of her new born babe, scarcely touching him, and yet full of love and consolation. The fingers, unlike the man’s are close to each other. Yes, here you, and I, have found Mum and Dad, in God’s embracing love, that’s what I meant when I said in God we find the Maternal and Paternal love.

Rembrandt is here reminding us of Prophet Isaiah’s word, “can a mother forget her child? Even if she does, I will never forget him. His name is written on the palm of my hand.”