A Work of Art

Statue of DavidLent
March 16, 2016

Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

I thank you that you have answered me
   and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
   has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
   it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
   let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
   O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! –Psalm 118:21-29

Michelangelo’s statue of David did not start out as his project. Another artist had been commissioned to create it as part of a larger project. The other artist started the work on the mammoth piece of marble but quit with little work done. He had done enough to make the marble less than desirable. It was relegated to storage on its side where it remained for many years. Finally, Michelangelo at the age of 26 received the commission and the master piece became a reality. The damaged and caste aside marble became a work of art.

Psalms 118 describes a similar situation when it states the stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. We Christian with loving hindsight see Christ in this imagery. He was despised and rejected by the religious leaders of the day. There is a message of hope in this scripture for all of us, I think. God can take us just as we are, warts and all, even if we are responsible for them ourselves, and create a work of art, just as Michelangelo could see the David in an otherwise ruined piece of marble.

What talents and skills, are hidden deep in each of our beings, is God nurturing? Are we open to becoming fully the person God created us to be?

Prayer: Lord, you led the way to reclaiming life after rejection. Give us the courage to accept the gift of your loving us enough to make us full partners in your kingdom and help us fulfill that calling. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.