“the Church Militant, the souls here on earth still united to their physical bodies, for us the fight continues.”
Boldness,Boldness, Always Boldness
In the Apostles Creed the Church professes the belief that when Jesus died upon the cross He descended into Hell. That idea may make some people uncomfortable. But it is an ancient belief that Jesus descended into Hell not as a victim, damned for all eternity, but as a conquering hero.
Jesus stormed Hell, trampling its gates underfoot to bind the “strong man” and release the souls of the righteous, trapped there since the first days.
The traditional icon of the “Harrowing of Hell” shows Jesus, standing on top of the collapsed gates of Hades. He reaches down to pull Adam and Eve out of the pits. Jesus takes all of fallen humanity by the hand and leads us to Heavenly Heights. This is an image of an active, vigorous Church, a Church which was at one time commonly called the “Church Militant.”
Although the terms are not used much these days the Church has been traditionally divided into three parts. The Church Triumphant refers to the souls in Heaven; they have triumphed over sin and wickedness and enjoy the beatific vision that is God. They have won the fight.
The Church Suffering describes the souls in purgatory, still working out their salvation as their sins are purged. For them the fight has become an inward struggle with themselves.
Then there is the Church Militant, the souls here on earth still united to their physical bodies, for us the fight continues.
We are at war, and the Earth is a spiritual battlefield. The object of the war is to redeem a fallen world. We, the members of the Church, are the physical body of Christ in the world, united under His vicar, the Pope.
In the movie “Patton,” there is a moment when the general is having a disagreement with Major General Lucian Truscott. Truscott is questioning Patton’s aggressive strategy to which Patton replies,
“You’re a very good man, Lucian. You want to guard against being too conservative. Remember what Frederick the Great said: ‘L’audace, L’audace! Toujours L’audace!”
While that quote has been attributed to many different men, the idea became a cornerstone of Patton’s philosophy in battle. It was found on a notecard he kept in his papers. The full quote could be translated as “Ride the enemy to death, boldness, boldness, always boldness.”
The Power of Art
Art is a powerful tool. Artists of all genres have the ability to create powerful images that affect the viewer. Does art follow culture or does culture follow art? I believe it is a both/and question. Popular art and modern culture feed off of each other. But the art that reflects the Truth of Salvation history, is the art that stays with us and affects us long after the passing art of the moment.
In 1854 the artist William Holman Hunt exhibited two paintings side by side at the Royal Academy. One of the paintings has been all but forgotten, the other has become one of the most popular images in the world.
The first is entitled “The Awakening Conscience.” The painting shows a young girl rising from the lap of a gentleman as if in response to a call or something seen outside the window that disturbs her.
The painting is a commentary on the practice of keeping a mistress. The objects in the painting, the setting, and the symbols, all speak of a wasted life, missed opportunities, and sad memories of a happier time. The room depicted in the work is modeled after an apartment specifically reserved for clandestine affairs.
The painting in its current state was retouched from its original by the artist who softened the facial expression of the young girl. The look of pain and horror on the girl’s face repulsed and shocked many of the contemporary critics. The patron who commissioned the work could not bear to look at it every day and asked Hunt to soften it.
“The Awakening Conscience” is a social commentary. It was an open secret at the time that many wealthy men kept young girls as mistresses. The girls were often completely dependent upon the largess of the man. Should he abandon or discard her in favor of another, the girl would be left without home or income. The symbols in the painting were easily recognized by the audience of 1854 and succeeded in causing a stir within polite society.
As a companion piece, Hunt painted the second work, “The Light of the World,” to hang alongside “The Awakening Conscience.” “The Light of the World” shows Christ knocking on the closed door of a darkened building. He is holding a lamp, inviting those within to step out of the darkness and into the light.
As society changed and grew, as fortunes shifted, the idea of keeping a mistress was seen as less of a moral vice and more a simple lifestyle choice. “The Awakening Conscience,” if it is thought of at all, is seen as a quaint commentary on past customs.
But “The Light of the World” is one of the most popular paintings in the world, reproduced countless times in the 150 years since its execution.
Why is this? One painting is very explicitly a comment on a moment in time. Though its message may still be relevant, that message is obscured by symbolism that is no longer commonly understood, and a dated setting that distracts the viewer from grasping it full meaning.
But the other painting speaks to us on a deeper level. Even removed from the context of its companion piece it calls upon us to reflect upon our lives. Are we living in the darkness of sin and ignorance? Are we ignoring the call of God to step into the light and allow Him to lead us?
This is the type of art that is needed now and has indeed been needed at all times. This is the work of an artist that connects us to the Truth of our salvation. This is how art changes the world, not by obvious work that preys upon our sensibilities of the moment, but by offering us a reflection on our morality that withstands the test of time.
Jesus tells us that the Gates of the netherworld will not prevail against the Church. Remember that gates do not attack; they defend. Jesus did not build a Church that sits passively behind a shield of faith while the enemy pounds away. The Church has a mission. It is an active force in the world. The Church takes the battle to the enemy, and the gates of hell will not be able to withstand the force of the Church.
As soldiers in this battle, we should not become frustrated when we are attacked. We should expect it and fight back. And God Himself has assured us of our victory.
Pax Vobiscum
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time