Just before the lockdown in Aotearoa New Zealand (Tuesday 17th August 2021), I was approached by a young woman who was due to give a presentation to various high school RE classes. She needed support and needed help in the form of an image that could accompany her presentation. The Gospel passage she was researching and reflecting on is known as The Woman Caught in Adultery (Jn 7:53 - 8:11).
My word to reflect on during lockdown has been awarded to Paciencia (Patience). With prayer and paciencia I felt the pull to create an image to help her. This passage is one that I've wanted to create a modern interpretation of for some time. And I imagine this particular passage is one that we can all identify with (during lockdown I have been hearing that many people are struggling). With this time and this passage in my heart, I am aware that I certainly need Jesus and his compassionate love now more than ever. This passage reminds me to walk as Jesus did; with compassion, patience, love and inclusion. We can also link this type of love with the Greek Goddess known as Eleos.
Through the process of creating this piece, I kept coming back to the patience and compassionate love that Jesus and our triune God have for us all. I hope you may enjoy discovering the details through the story of the image (be sure to check out the street signs). The illustration effect I have used is commonly known as engraving. Even though I may not be using the original engraving technique/process the end result is close to the original form. I have used pen, pencil and digital illustration. This particular style does indeed require much paciencia!
This piece was created with love to help another, I hope the image may remind us of the never-ending love our God has for us, no matter what may we always remember Jesus' words to "go on your way..." - on the Eleos Way.
Some questions for reflection:
Where do you see yourself in the image?
What is Jesus saying to you? Or to your community // family?
What is the hardest part of the image for you to gaze upon? Why?
Who would you like to chat with in the image?
Much love, prayer and paciencia
~ Jane
- View the latest Connection Email: #21 Connection (Full of Truth, Goodness, Beauty + new things on this site).
- If you would like a print of this image you are welcome to purchase it here: https://www.designjane.com/product-page/woman-caught-in-adultery-poster
[[53 Then each of them went home, 8 1 while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.[a] 9 When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.”[b] And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”]][c]