Luca Signorelli, born Luca d'Egidio di Ventura in 1441 in Cortona, Italy; was an artist of the Tuscan school, although he spent most of his time in Rome and Umbria.
It was in Orvieto that he produced his life’s masterpiece: five frescoes depicting events from the Apocalypse in the chapel of the Madonna of San Brizio in the Cathedral or Duomo of that city.
Beginning with “The Preaching of the Antichrist,” the series proceeds through “The End of the World,” “The Resurrection of the Flesh,” “The Damned in Hell,” and “The Elect in Paradise.” All of these surrounding the existing art on the lower walls done 50 years before by Fra Angelico – “Christ in Judgment,” and “Angels and Prophets.”
In the first of Signorelli frescoes, “The Preaching of the Antichrist,” we see what at first might appear to be Christ preaching to the crowds. The resemblance ends upon closer examination, as this false Christ has horns; and receives his message from Satan, who is whispering into his ear and controlling him like a puppet.
In the fresco, the Antichrist displays wonders and miracles, but he is surrounded by corruption and wealth, massacres and iniquities, horrors and chaos.
Signorelli died in 1523, 500 years ago this October.
A major exhibition of his works began a month ago in his hometown of Cortona, and will continue for the next 3 months.
Today is the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The brief four verses we heard from the Book of Wisdom are a brief profession of faith, rooted in the Old Testament, but speaking of righteousness – or what I prefer to translate as “right relationship” – the proper state of humanity in harmony with God.
The God of Israel is unique. Not only is He “one,” but He is the “one” creator of all. He is “all powerful,” and despite that power, He is good, moral, and just. God is full of kindness, mercy, and forgiveness. All unique qualities in a pagan world with many, fickle, capricious gods.
In the two verses from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, we hear how the Spirit accompanies us through the difficulties and trials of this world, assisting us through Supernatural Grace, to live according to the most Holy Will of God. The Supernatural Grace through Baptism, and all the Sacraments, especially the most Holy Eucharist.
The Gospel, on the other hand, presents three parables of Christ – or perhaps three similes is a better term – Our Lord attempting to give us a glimpse into just what is the Kingdom of God.
Only one explanation is given, for the first parable.
The Kingdom of God is like wheat and the tares growing together, not because they are equal or identical, but because they will be separated at the harvest.
Tares are known as the darnel, lolium temulentum, which initially appears identical to wheat, and even the grains appear similar. But darnel flour is poisonous and imparts a bitterness if it is accidentally used in cooking.
Because of this similarity, it is difficult to separate the two.
The world is filled with many contradictory voices, some which confuse or conflate, and others which are outright noxious and dangerous to the soul. Some parts of these messages may appear similar to the Gospel, but fall short of the fullness of the Gospel.
In this world, it may be easy to put on pious externals with a wicked heart. We may not notice the difference, but God can separate the elect from the damned … and He will.
A friend and seminary professor of mine would often remind us: “half of the truth is not the truth.” And in a similar way, half of the Gospel is not the Gospel.
Jesus Christ has told us that He is “the Way, and the Truth, and the Life,” and we must ensure that in following Him, we allow Him to be “our Way, our Truth, and our Life.”
As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, let us make a firm stand for Christ and Christ alone. Let us reject what is not of God, and embrace Jesus Christ as our Way, our Truth, and our Life. And let us then go forward through, with, and in Christ Jesus; that we may follow Him, and Him alone.
