JESUSMANGODFRIENDKINGLORDHALLELUJAHAMEN

"Look upon these with favorable

and gracious countenance and accept them,

as you accepted the gifts of your just servant Abel

and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham

and that which your High Priest Melchizedek

offered to you, a holy sacrifice, an unspotted victim."

The prayer above has been recited during the Eucharist of the San Vitale Basilica in Ravenna, Italy since its consecration by the Archbishop of Ravenna in 548 A.D. This image historically has been used contemplatively in manner. Only one small, yet crucial part of the mosaic, the figure of Christ is centered, receiving offerings from many, Melchizedek and Abel included. The image was positioned above and behind the high altar with the intention of meditation on the sacrifice of Christ, specifically with visual references to the Last Supper: the first Communion.

This image is Christ. The first and only sacrifice from God for all of humanity. Yes, he was fully man, but Jesus Christ is a triune God, and Lord of all Creation. How do you view God? As a supreme ruler, or as a friend? It should not necessarily be an either/or situation, but a question that many have asked or been asked nonetheless. I answer this differently depending on where I am in life, and frankly, right now God is King; although, much of life I would have answered the opposite. Even though this picture is a holy representation of Christ and centralizes much more around his divinity rather than humanity, he is still man. It is a deified image of Christ, the one in the trinity who I most often refer to as my friend at those times in my life, but I find this image compelling because it presents Jesus as King in my eyes, rather than Jesus as man.

All of my ramblings taken into account, yes, this image is true. Much more true now to me that it might be at other times in my life, but true nevertheless. Is it true to you? Potentially... That's for you to decide.