Disciples, Apostles, and Saints!
Last week I was fortunate to spend several days with clergy in our neighboring diocese of Northern Indiana at their fall clergy retreat where we prayed, wrote icons, and gathered in fellowship. It was faithful and holy time and a true delight. For many of us, it was our first experience writing an icon, which was an exquisite experience of faith and devotion unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
To write an icon is to pray as much as paint, to trust as much as do, offering layers upon layers of brush strokes to a wooden board as servant-creative. And the result is a unique reflection for prayer and to assist in devotion.
This icon we wrote was based on Jesus the Pantocrator, an ancient Orthodox icon. And one of the comments that a colleague offered in reflection after spending 12+ hours of painting rung true: “I have not spent this much time looking at Jesus as I did the last three days.”
What’s stopping us from spending that time now? Nothing.
With love,
Drew+
