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. . . like incense Watercolor on paper 24K gold leaf and gold thread 6’ x 10”
Every time I start the New Year in a Read through the Bible program, I’m immersed in the Old Testament rhythms and practices alongside the designs and craftsmanship of the Tabernacle. In this piece, the royal colors overlaid with extravagant gold leaf on paper stitched together with my hands, bring together divinity, humanity, intimacy and community.
Many mysteries are spoken in the scriptures and often I look for physical symbols to fill out the invisible. The burning of incense was a physical reminder of an eternal reality; the worship of Yahweh; a miniature replica of the glory cloud of God on Mt. Sinai. The Old Testament priests obediently offered prayers morning and evening when the incense was being burned. The censer was filled with aromatic frankincense and the ritual of lighting it was according to all the instructions given to the priests. This rhythmic practice reminds me of my desire to develop the habit of praying in my own life. Psalm 141:2 requests: May my prayer be set before you like incense.
There is also a connection with the New Testament in reference to Zechariah’s priesthood and Gabriel’s announcement of the coming of John the Baptist answering a prayer of the centuries. The Magi are linked as they presented frankincense, saved exclusively for sacred use, as a gift to the Christ child and gold, as a symbol of kingship. Humanity enters in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15; for we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
Finally, I added the tzitzit and fringe from the Hebrew Tallit (prayer shawl), as a reference to the intimate, meditative manner in which most of my prayers are offered; verbally or silently. Putting everything together in this piece, can you smell the aroma? This work becomes an expression of a community of intercessors in the rhythm of prayer, like a sweet-smelling fragrance and sacrifice of praise sending forth the aroma of Christ.
References: Exodus 31:1-4; Psalm 141:2; 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, pp. 418-9
©copyright phyllis thomas 2009 |
