Calling all Bloggers! Emmanuel Voices would like to hear from you!

At the turn of this century, there was a contest that called on artists to create an icon of Christ for the third millennium. It was sponsored by the National Catholic Reporter and it drew nearly two thousand entries from over nineteen countries. Sister Wendy Beckett selected the winners, as well as the runners-up.

The chosen images drew visceral responses – many written up in the Washington Post.

One anonymous critic shrieked: “It is nothing but a politically correct, modern, blasphemous statement reflecting the artists’ and the judges’ spiritual depravity.”  

Another critic complained that a certain entry made the Prince of Peace look like the artist formerly known as Prince. And yet another called the winning entry – a blatant rip off of Jimi Hendrix from the Electric Lady Album!

But others were deeply moved by these newly cast images of Jesus. A Catholic priest wrote, “I am sitting here with tears brimming over and running down my face.  These are magnificent images of haunting, inviting serenity. Jesus would recognize himself in these images.”

Jesus as a thick lipped and broad nosed ebony woman. Jesus as an olive skinned, dark haired Middle Eastern peasant. Jesus as a gaunt, gray haired, gay man. Jesus’ being portrayed in bursts of color and glorious light.

Jesus transfigured before our very eyes.

The Feast of the Transfiguration, the Last Sunday of Epiphany is celebrated on the cusp of Lent. A very good time to contemplate our own personal christology. Just who is Jesus? Why does his life matter? What does his death mean? Does it make any difference at all?

To help us explore these questions, Emmanuel Voices is hosting a Lenten blog series: Who do you say that I am?

Imagine depicting Jesus in a picture, a painting, a photograph, a poem, a song, or a short story. Explore his identity in a book review, a spiritual reflection, a tale of personal witness, faithful struggle, or a surprising encounter. 

Who Do You Say That I Am? hopes to hear from many: lay and ordained, young and old, parishioners and guests. All voices are welcome! This includes you!

Email your posts to me, the editor-in-chief, at eecvoices@gmail.com.

The posts will go up throughout Lent in real time as they are received.

So stay tuned. More to come!

Pax vobiscum,

Joani

Spirituality The Episcopal Church Emmanuel on High Lent Seasonal Devotional The Rev. Joan L. Peacock Who Do You Say That I Am?