Invitation to trust

A reflection on the Second Sunday of Advent by Sr Anna

The second Sunday of Advent always focusses on the figure of John the Baptist. In the Gospel reading from Matthew for Year A we hear that the coming one is mightier than the Baptist and that he comes with a judgement of fire. Yet in this beautiful Perugino we see a very gentle, submissive Christ. John is the towering figure in the tableau yet he too is not portrayed as we would normally expect. He too is gentle, reverent, poised. He is already clad in the red cloak of his martyrdom; the forerunner, facing a Jesus whose ministry has not yet begun.

John still has one foot on the bank. He has been unsure but has stepped into the water at Jesus’ insistence and performed for him the mysterious rite. Perugino has captured him just after the completion of the ritual. The water bowl is empty; Jesus’ hair is wet and plastered to his face and neck.

There is a deep sense of achievement; there is an air of such peace, prayerfulness and mutual respect in the scene; it was the right thing to do after all.

And we, too, are invited this Advent, and indeed throughout the Advent of our entire lives, to trust Jesus and to step into the water. This stepping out will not necessarily be a matter of devout feelings but the burdensome, constant giving of self in everyday life. We step out into many encounters and situations that may well feel scary and uncertain and that we would much rather avoid. But when we stir ourselves out of our lethargy, we will experience something of that sense of peace and rightness that Perugino so masterfully illustrates for us in this gem of a painting.