March 6, 2022 Lectionary Texts — Year C
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2,9-16
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
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For me personally, art making is as much about the process and the journey as it ever is about the finished work. I consider it very much a spiritual practice. I am featuring a progressive piece of art for the season of Lent here in Visio Divina. I did something similar a few years back and really enjoyed it.

In 2018, I started creating colorful abstract paintings and adding imagery to them (mostly variations on Christian icon art). This has been a life-giving creative process, and I will be utilizing it for this project.

Last month I had a powerful dream that I would like to create into a work of art — it was of a beautiful large black velvety-looking moth. The edges of the wings had delicate dot work. It was amazing. I’ve recently learned moths have long been considered a symbol of the resurrection, and I have a wonderful idea to focus on during Lent.

I began this painting on Ash Wednesday and for each Sunday I will be showing you a progression on it. It will be abstract-ish for a good part of the journey. Allow this to be an opportunity to explore how color and texture reflect and embody the feelings and emotions conveyed by our Lenten texts. Please ask any questions you may have and you are welcome to message me if it feels too vulnerable to ask in the comments here.

I’ll share this with you… I had glanced over these text this week and then had kind of forgotten them when I made the decision that I would paint the moth as a shadow this week. I went back and read the texts again and was surprised when I got to the Psalms. So cool.

Practicing Visio Divina:

1. View the artwork
   What do you see?
   Note shapes – color – style – movement
   What stands out for you?
   What are you curious about?
   What questions do you have?
   Hold back any feelings – judgments – opinions
2. Read the accompanying scripture and look over the artwork again
   What connections do you make?
   Between the image and text?
   What is coming to mind from your own experience?
   What feelings are rising in you?
   Are you uncomfortable with something?
   There are no right or wrong answers
3. Read the scripture again and explore the artwork a third time
   What do you hear?
   What is God saying to you?
   What do you wish to speak to God?
   What blessing or prayer is rising in you?

He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty. He will say to the Eternal, “My shelter, my mighty fortress, my God, I place all my trust in You.”
For you made the Eternal [your] refuge, the Most High your only home. — Psalm 91:1-2,9