The banner image above and the cover of this week’s newsletter features a compelling and iconic rendering of the face of Christ, hand painted by Allie Nicastro, an eleven year old girl from Holy Family Parish, who is the winner of this year’s summer art contest. Allie’s painting will be professionally framed and displayed during the coming year in our pastoral office, then returned to her and her family. But what about this image and others like it? Do you find them disturbing? Is Jesus angry? And if so, is Jesus angry at us because of our sins, faults, or lack of faith? The answer to these questions should and must always be a resounding no! Jesus is not angry. His love is limitless. His mercy is boundless. His friendship is forever. But again, what about this image? Are we kidding ourselves? Jesus surely looks angry!

The original image is considered the first icon of Jesus Christ and is called either the “Image of Edessa” or the “Mandylion.” It appeared on cloth, dates back to the first century, and was first revealed in Edessa (a city in southern Turkey known now as Urfa). Tradition holds that King Abgar, an Arab monarch who lived during the first decades after the Resurrection of Christ, was converted to Christianity by one of the Seventy Disciples mentioned in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 10:1-24). Suffering from a mysterious and serious illness, King Abgar wrote to Jesus and begged him to both visit him and cure him. Miraculously, Jesus responded! He declined the invitation to visit but sent an emissary, who might have been Saint Jude the Apostle. This emissary cured the king from the illness and delivered an image of the face of Christ that is known now as the “Image of Edessa.”

For centuries, the original icon was lost, but it reappeared in Edessa during the sixth century, was moved to Constantinople during the 10th century, reappeared in France during the 13th century, and disappeared again sometime during the French Revolution (1789-1799). Although it has not been seen since, many copies survive. The Easter Orthodox Church celebrates its transfer from Edessa to Con- stantinople as a feast day on August 16th. In our tradition, many Roman Catholics believe that the “Image of Edessa” actually could be the Shroud of Turin, the Veil of Veronica, or one of the countless icons of the face of Christ that call us to prayer and to faith in the miraculous power of God.

We may never know the truth about the origins and current whereabouts of the “Image of Edessa.” What we know with certainty is that for centuries, Christians have believed that the original icon and the countless copies rendered of it were not made by human hands alone. Rather, they were made by the hand and inspiration of God, who works through ordinary souls to accomplish extraordinary graces. History and tradition are filled with testimonies about conversions, cures, and other miracles that have been accomplished through these iconic images of the face of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When we look at these images, when we dare to look into the eyes of the Lord, we should not see anger. Instead, we should see the awesome glory and power of our God who humbled himself, was born poor in a stable, walked among us, healed the sick, forgave sinners, and suffered, died, and rose again to life for each and every one of us. Ours is a God of real and radical friendship, healing, love, mercy and welcome. This weekend, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King and begin the final week of Ordinary Time, let us look deeply into the eyes of Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace. Let us look into his eyes and see his love for each and every one of us and let us share that love with the world.

Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (11-20-16)
Bringing Home the Word (11-20-16)

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