Monday, January 28, 2013

Dearest God,

In the chapel this morning one of the sisters told this story.

"When Leonardo Da Vinci was painting his masterpiece, "The Last Supper" he looked a long time for a model of his Christ.  At last he located a chorister in one of the churches of Rome who was lovely in life and features, a young man named Pietro Bandinelli.

Years passed and still the painting was not finished.  All the disciples had been painted except for one - Judas Iscariot.  And so he began his difficult search.  Finally he took to the streets of Rome where he came upon a beggar with a face so full of evil that merely gazing upon him made Da Vinci shudder.  He then hired the man and had him sit for him as a model of Judas.  When the painting was completed, he paid the man and then remembered he had never asked him his name.  'Who are you?'  He asked.  'Don't you recognize me?'  He responded.  ' I sat for you as the model for your Christ. My name is Pietro Bandinelli.'"

As the sister ended her morning message, she simply asked, "On your last day as you reflect upon your life, what will be your final image as you stand before God?"

The challenge made me think about all the images I have worn.  I suppose to some whom I have given compassionate care they may have seen the face of Jesus; however, I am sure some have seen in me a resemblance of Peter who denied Christ and to be sure of Judas who sold his beloved for a handful of something else.  The question still lingers as I ponder my own life.

Will in me
the desire
to carry
your image,
O Lord.
Refashion me,
rid me
of all evil,
malice, and
ill will.
Cleanse me
from within
that I
may become
the face
of love,
I pray.

Yours, Andrea