VISIO DIVINA - COLLOQUIUM

“My Lord and my God!”

St. Thomas’ confession of faith before Christ’s pierced Body gives light to the entire Gospel of John. Jesus’ words to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing,” are forever carved in John’s heart, burning like fire. They clarify the Eucharistic words “Take and eat.” We touch and are touched by the resurrected Body offered for the forgiveness of sins. The power of this touch changes our vision of reality. In light of this Eucharistic Body, of his touching of Jesus resurrected Body, John remembers” the life of Jesus. This is also evident in the opening words of his First Letter: “What we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed” (1 Jn 1:1-2). At every Eucharist, our touching reminds us of the open heart on the cross.

Cima da Conegliano’s painting effectively conveys the Eucharistic significance of the scene from the Gospel of St. John. While it lacks the dramatic gestures found in Caravaggio’s namesake painting, the expression on Jesus’ face is calm and contemplative.

His resurrected body commands the space, drawing the viewer’s attention. From his shoulders upward, Jesus, at the center of the stage, is taller than any of the apostles. The true king of Israel, unlike Saul, reigns by giving his life for the sheep and allows the lost sheep, Thomas, to touch his open side. Jesus’ Body is “the way” to the heavenly sanctuary also for us who, every day, touch his Eucharistic Body.

It’s hard to miss that the setting is a sanctuary with a golden, ornate ceiling whose windows open to a path leading to a royal castle. The “way” through the Body of Jesus leads to the heavenly city, the royal, eternal abode of the Lamb of God. The Church’s sacramentally touching the resurrected Body of Jesus sets on the way to the heavenly Jerusalem.
We can also notice that John, the evangelist, is depicted with eyes lifted in contemplation as if in ecstasy and with his breast bare to signify his union with Jesus’ resurrected Body.
Looking at this colorful and vivid painting, we can only pray with Thomas: “My Lord and my God!” ◼