4 Comments

  1. mary james on April 15, 2016 at 7:33 am

    Thank you! This is a beautiful explanation of the logo, which I had never seen before–or perhaps just did not pay attention to.

    • Kathleen Glavich, SND on April 22, 2016 at 10:01 am

      I saw this logo, but didn’t know the depths of meaning it held until I prepared to give a retreat on this year of mercy!

  2. Mark on April 16, 2016 at 8:41 am

    Hey Sister,

    A couple of thinks before I answer your question.

    First, I find it interesting that you chose Van Gogh’s almond branches as the painting to compare with Father Rupnik’s design. In my opinion, Van Gogh painted with extreme emotion, almost like he was striking out with each brush stroke. This is why I love his paintings, not only do I appreciate the art, but I also appreciate the artist. I can almost see him painting.
    The jubilee year of mercy logo has the opposite result. When I look at the logo, it calms me down. The smoothness of the lines. The warmth of the colors. The looks on the faces.
    Second, I absolutely love the poem you chose. So simple, so perfect. I read it and I actually imagined God doing that. What a beautiful way to speak without words.

    As for acts of mercy, well, I’m here in Boston getting ready to do the marathon on Monday with my wife, Linda. To make a long story short, I’m going to be helping Linda run 26.2 miles. I’ll carry her over the finish line if I have to, though not like the logo.

    Mark

  3. Kathleen Glavich, SND on April 22, 2016 at 10:10 am

    Thanks for your interesting comments as always, Mark. Your last paragraph made me laugh out loud. Did Linda run all that way? I doubt that I could run half of one mile!

    I was in Boston myself the week before last. And last week I spent in sunny Florida.

    Coincidentally the first book I wrote was all about God’s “beautiful way to speak without words.” It was called “Voices: Messages in Gospel Symbols.” I opened with that poem about the almond tree and cited Psalm 19:1–4. I also quoted a hymn by St. Gregory Nazianzus: “All things proclaim you—things that can speak, things that can not. . . .
    All things breathe you a prayer/ a silent hymn of your own composing.”
    In the book are reflections on inanimate things in the Gospel like gold, wine, nets, fringe. It’s out of print except for some copies I have. Maybe I’ll update it someday.

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