Anointing the King

"And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that [Jesus] was sitting at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment." -Luke 7:36ff
This story goes on to describe the reaction of those observing the woman's gift to Jesus. The Pharisee thinks to himself that Jesus must not be a prophet. If He were, He would never let such a woman near Him. Others (in Mark's gospel), complain that this woman wasted ointment so costly it might have been sold for a year's wages, and the money given to the poor. In Matthew and Mark's gospels, Judas (found on the left side of the painting) departs this scene to go to the chief priests to betray Jesus. What is Jesus' response? To the Pharisee he says, "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:47) And to the others, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me... And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (Mark 14:6-9) I am so concerned about what others think of me. I would do well to learn from this woman, who boldly approached the Lord, regardless of what others would think of her. Hopefully, the Lord would also say to me, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:50)

Apples of Gold

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11
How powerful the right words spoken at the right time can be. In those moments I often feel as if God Himself is speaking to my heart. Of course the most “fitly spoken” Word is Jesus Christ.
“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Fiat

I was blessed to make a trip to the Holy Land in 2006. After visiting the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, I knew I wanted to create this painting. The ruins of the home where Mary is believed to have been visited by the angel Gabriel is inside the Basilica, and we were able to celebrate Mass there. How powerful it was to meet Jesus on the altar in the place where He was conceived by the Holy Spirit! When Gabriel explains to Mary what God is asking of her, she responds, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word,” in Latin, “Fiat.” (Luke 1:38) It is my prayer that God will give me the grace to make my own “Fiat” to whatever He asks of me.

Logos

I love all the different meanings of the word, “word,” especially as we see it in scripture. We talk about “writing” icons, and we refer to the Holy Bible as the Word of God. When we “give someone our word” we are making a promise, ensuring that the very essence of who we are stands behind that which we speak. How appropriate that we refer to Jesus as “The Word of God,” in Latin, “Logos,” God’s promise, His Essence. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11

Provision

"He said, 'Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.'" - Genesis 22:2
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16
When God asked Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice, what must Abraham have felt? Did he think he misunderstood what God was saying... that God must've made His first mistake... that he's been obedient up until now, but that this is asking too much? But thanks be to God, Abraham did obey God's incomprehensible command and God did provide. And through Abraham's obedience, we have a glimpse of what our salvation cost God. For in Abraham's case, God didn't ask him to follow through with the sacrifice of Isaac, but provided instead a ram. For us, however, God did follow through. And although we are the ones who deserve to die, Christ died instead. I first painted the piece entitled "Provision," wanting to capture the emotions of Abraham and Isaac as they went up Mount Moriah. I also wanted the ram in the painting to show that even though they weren't aware of it at that point in their journey, God had already made "Provision." As I was working on the first piece, I felt I still couldn't adequately capture the emotion of the love between father and son. And so I tried again, in "Only Beloved Son." My intent was to not only portray Abraham and Isaac, but also God the Father and Jesus. When I think of the love between them and the sacrifice made for me, I am overwhelmed by God's love.

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

Assisi

I fell in love with Assisi on a pilgrimage to Italy in 2007. After a day of visiting this holy village and home of St. Francis and St. Clare, I sat on a hillside to paint this view to remember this special place.

Come and See

In the Gospel of John, Jesus asks two men following him, “What are you looking for?” When they awkwardly respond, “Where are you staying?” Jesus says to them, “Come, and you will see.” Soon they are going out to others and inviting them to “Come and see.” (John 1:35-46) The same invitation is extended to us today. Jesus wants us to “come and see” and then to “go and tell” the Good News.

Follow Me

"And He said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." - Matthew 4:19 and 20
Jesus does not coerce or manipulate us into becoming His disciples. He simply invites us to "follow Him." The choice is up to us. But it is only when we choose to follow that we find out what it truly means to live. "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

The Lost Coin

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." - Luke 15:8-10
I know how frustrated I am when I lose something (more often than not these days it's my glasses.) But it can be excruciatingly painful when losing something we highly value. I've heard that in the days of Jesus, ten coins were given as a wedding gift. So to the woman in the parable, losing one of these coins could be likened to losing a wedding ring today. Perhaps the hardest items to lose are those that go beyond their own intrinsic value because they are reminders to us of something more...

The Mantle

In this painting I wanted to try to capture Mary’s motherly love and protection for Jesus by wrapping Him up in her mantle. Yet we know that ultimately it is Jesus who wraps Mary in love and gives her the gift of caring for Him as His mother, so I painted His hand grasping the mantle as well. Furthermore, their love and protection extends to you and me so as I pray I like to picture us being caught up in the mantle with them.

Notre Dame

Behold

"Behold God, beholding you, and smiling." -Anthony de Mello, S.J.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20
I started this painting with the image that came to me when I thought of the above quote by Anthony de Mello. I kept that image, but as I was painting I wondered about how to paint the background. Then I thought of God not only smiling at me, but welcoming me into His Kingdom. So I added the door which is cracked open just enough that you can see the light coming from the other side. It makes me want to go through it and see what's waiting for me...

Earthen Vessels

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7
Sometimes I think too highly of myself. I love this image because it's such a great reminder that I am an "earthen vessel." I'm fragile, rather plain, imperfect and often cracked or chipped. But what a treasure I have inside!

Gift for the King

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him..." When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy, and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." -Matthew 2:1, 11
Each year, instead of making New Year's resolutions, I try to come up with three offerings to the Lord. The wise men's gold was a gift befitting a king. With my gift of "gold" I try to incorporate something into my daily life which shows my reverence and obedience to my King. The wise men's frankincense was a gift of prayer and worship (incense was used by the Jews in their worship and is still used in many worship services today.) My gift of "frankincense" is incorporating prayer and worship into my daily life. And finally, the wise men's gift of myrrh was a foreshadowing of Christ's death. My gift of "myrrh" is examining my life and finding something that needs to "die," so that Christ may more fully live in me. You'll notice there's one more gift in the painting. The one thing we all have to offer... our time.

Only Beloved Son

"He said, 'Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.'" - Genesis 22:2
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16
When God asked Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice what must Abraham have felt? Did he think he misunderstood what God was saying... that God must've made His first mistake... that he's been obedient up until now, but that this is asking too much? But thanks be to God, Abraham did obey God's incomprehensible command and God did provide. And through Abraham's obedience, we have a glimpse of what our salvation cost God. For in Abraham's case, God didn't ask him to follow through with the sacrifice of Isaac, but provided instead a ram. For us, however, God did follow through. And although we are the ones who deserve to die, Christ died instead. I first painted the piece entitled "Provision," wanting to capture the emotions of Abraham and Isaac as they went up Mount Moriah. I also wanted the ram in the painting to show that even though they weren't aware of it at that point in their journey, God had already made "Provision." As I was working on the first piece, I felt I still couldn't adequately capture the emotion of the love between father and son. And so I tried again, in "Only Beloved Son." My intent was to not only portray Abraham and Isaac, but also God the Father and Jesus. When I think of the love between them and the sacrifice made for me, I am overwhelmed by God's love.

The Yoke

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28 - 30
It is easy in our culture today to work ourselves into a frenzy. With so many great opportunities, we often find ourselves overscheduled, overburdened, and in need of rest. Apparently, the situation wasn't all that different two thousand years ago. Fortunately, Jesus offers rest for our souls. If we take the yoke that He offers, we find it easy and light. Remember, a yoke is meant to link two oxen so that they work together. When we yoke ourselves to God, think of the power available to us! Our job is simply to keep walking alongside Him

Our Lady of Grace

Our Lady of Grace Church is my parish and my home away from home. I braved the cold one winter morning to capture this scene after a beautiful snowfall.

Cathedral of St. Paul

I have attended many moving celebrations in this beautiful Cathedral. When it comes into view as I drive down this street, it still stirs my heart and inspires me to praise the Lord.

Let the Children Come

Even though Jesus walked this earth as a Middle-Eastern Jew, we know He is the God of all the nations. I love the scene where He admonishes the disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) We each bring with us our unique heritage and tradition, and Jesus wants to meet us there. The only thing He asks of us is to come to Him as His little children.

Life Giving Water

"There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink... .' The Samaritan woman said to Him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?' Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, "Give me a drink," you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water... Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" - John 4:7, 9-10, 13. In reading this story more closely, we find that the Samaritan woman is going to the well in the middle of the day, probably to avoid human contact. What a surprise for her to encounter Jesus, who even begins a conversation with her! He continues to tell her that He knows all about her questionable lifestyle. But that still doesn't stop Him from offering her His "living water." The woman is so excited about Jesus that she leaves her water jar behind and goes back to her village, to the very people she was probably trying to avoid, to tell them all about Jesus, saying, "Can this be the Christ?" And "many Samaritans from that city believed in Him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me all that I ever did.'" (John 4:29, 39) Even though Jesus asked this woman for a drink, I think He was truly thirsting for her soul. He thirsts for each of us and is overjoyed when we leave our "water jars" and inhibitions behind to tell others, "Can this be the Christ?"

The Good Shepherd

Where God Meets His Bride

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." - Isaiah 61:10 In October of 2007, my husband and I joined 23 others on a pilgrimage to Rome. Unless you've been there yourself, you cannot comprehend the immensity and majesty of St. Peter's Basilica. In this amazing place, we stopped to take in Bernini's masterpiece, the baldacchino over the altar. It is a magnificent work of bronze which stands 98 feet high. As I was gazing at the beauty of this piece and its surroundings, our priest and guide told us that these baldachins were designed after Jewish wedding canopies because the altar is the place, "Where God Meets His Bride." I love that image and it has transformed the way I approach the Lord as I come to the altar