Invited to the table

Katy Emslie-Smith July 04, 2024 4 2

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Psalm 45: 6-7 (NIVUK)

6 

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.

7 

You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.

The Rublev’s Icon painted in the 15th century is considered to be one of Russia’s most treasured pieces of art. It is held to be one of the finest icons in the world, acting as an image which captures   attention in its sparse detail, stilling the viewer before it to lead them into exploration of mystery in contemplation and in imagination. It is a simple picture of three people sitting round a table with a glass of wine on it, thought to be inspired by the story of the hospitality of Abraham to three strangers at Mamre. At the same time the image acts as a symbolic representation of the perfect community of the Trinity, God three in one. Three figures sit peacefully with little movement, creating a circle with their bodies and inviting the viewer’s eyes to rest inside this calm space. The hands make symbols of blessing and their heads are bowed in reverence to each other. The colours represent the character of each member of the three and how together they make the whole. It is a hospitable picture, inviting the viewer to take a place at the table, within the circle that has no starting point and no end.

Psalm 45 locates the love of the Trinity within the hospitality of a wedding celebration, where the Father identifies his affectionate pride in his Son, naming him above all others and anointing him with oil as a sign of kingship and priesthood. We are invited to the wedding feast, to come to the banquet with joy, to accept the hospitality of the Father, Son and Spirit, safely encircled by perfect love.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to slow down,

To still our scattered selves before you

In peace and calm,

Space to know your presence with us,

Guests at the table, hearing you speak

Of your endless love for us.

Amen