to stand like the sunflower
turned full face to the sun drenched
with light in the still centre
held while the circling planets
hum wth an utter joy
Evangeline Paterson
Baptism of Jesus, Piero della Francesca
The non-verbal communication of Jesus
If the body tells us more than speech what might Jesus' body language communicate to us?
If I were to meditate upon this alone (eg his curled up body, compassionate face, pierced hand), where would that take me? Following our Questions of Jesus theme of late, we note the questions that arise from our perplexity and irritation, relief or surprise at Jesus's gestures. We join his disciples, watching his every move, attempting to come to terms with the questions his movements raise within us.
To what am I invited? Into what space am I welcomed? Rest, fearlessness, vulnerability, trust perhaps.
Let it be so
John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now". Matthew 3:14,15
The traditional postures suggested by baptism, hands upturned and head raised or bowed, show a life and identity willingly drenched in the will and light of God. Such significant gestures bookend Lent, beginning and ending a task with a keen sense of harmony, timing and deference.
Jesus' 'Let it be so' echoes his own mother's 'Let it be unto me' indicating perhaps a challenging degree of trust.