COOPERS’ COBORN CHOICE OF ART ON POVERTY/RESURRECTION

We spent some time analysing what we thought each painting said about how Christians ought to respond to world poverty. We used many modern paintings from around the world, to show this is a

global issue.

Hunger Cloth

• These Hunger Cloths are often seen in Catholic Churches, to remind Christians of the central importance of remembering those who cannot afford to eat today. This Hunger Cloth from Haiti shows images of justice and peace, as well as realities of unjust world.

Rich Man and Lazarus

• What does the wall mean? Who has built the wall?

• What does it mean that Lazarus and the dog are larger than the Rich Man?

Rich Man and Lazarus

• Painting by Jose Aruna from Nicaragua, South America.

• The liberation community from Nicaragua use this story in their radical view of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus warns of the dangers of riches, and paintin g asks viewer: how about you, when it comes to compassion and generosity.

Je cherche ton visage. Parable of Sheep and Goats

• When I was hungry you fed me, when I was thirsty you gave me drink. When I was naked you clothed me. When I was sick or in prison you visited me.

• Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me. (Matthew 25)

Throwing Money Changers out of the Temple

• Money changers in the Court of the Gentiles were cheating the Jews who had to change their money with them, so that it was acceptable to the Temple.

• Here we see Jesus forcibly throwing them out of the Temple

Pontebon’s The Angry Christ

• Jesus is believed by Christians to be the only Son of God, part of the Trinity and therefore God Himself in human form.

• Jesus was angry at the money changers who cheated the poor out of the little they had.

• He was also angry because they had taken over the Court of the Gentiles (where non-Jews were supposed to be able to worship).

• If Jesus got angry at cheating of poor, what should response of his followers be when they see poverty?

Good Samaritan

• Another painting from South America.• What does the parable suggest about our

responsibility for helping others?

Holy Family flee to Egypt

• Holy Family as Refugees

Resurrection Window

• What does the Resurrection of Jesus suggest that Christians should do about world poverty?

• What does the Sacred Mirrors: Christ painting suggest about importance of way we behave?

Feeding of 5000

Wedding at Cana – Jesus turns water into wine

• If Jesus cared about people’s enjoyment of life, and having not only enough to eat and drink, but enough to make them happy, what does that mean for us?