Museum of San MarcoOccupies the Dominican convent of San Marco and preserves much of its original atmosphere. Founded in 1436, the convent played an important role in the cultural and religious life of Florence. The museum owes its renown especially to the paintings of Fra Angelico, one of the great artists of the Renaissance, who frescoed extensive parts of the convent.
Peter, was a lot like King David, he wanted to find and serve the Lord, but his human nature tripped him from time to time. And like King David, God could see his heart and soul. When we don't understand the actions of David or Peter, we remember God really understood. He forgave him his weaknesses. God saw him as he would become, like Gideon, rather than concentrating on his flaws.
It is interesting to note the painting or fresco below, (we all probably recognize the Fra Angelico fresco--Annunciation, from Christmas cards) looks a lot like the Dominican convent where Fra Angelico lived. We rejoice with Fra Angelico that his life felt so good to him, he painted and pictured the kingdom of heaven coming to earth in his life. But today's reading is interesting, Peter discovering lies he has told, later feel like prison. We can all rejoice ~ God forgives our weaknesses too. Fra Angelico, as part of the Dominican convent, would have rejoiced (and probably today in heaven rejoices) with us in the Christmas gift that God forgives.
Luke 22:54-69
54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
Genesis 32: 9 Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,' 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. 11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.' "
The angel Gabriel announcing to Mary, God’s plan to save mankind.
Fran Angelico fresco--Annunciation--small frescoes were painted in each of 39 monk's cells in San Marco. (In the Florence, Italy region.)
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