Painted by Linsey George
St Patrick's Pakenham
Written by Mike Hansen
St Michael's Traralgon
A cone of grace
settles on the bowed head of Jesus.
Water gathers in tight circles of bright shimmering gladness…
knee high with joyful anticipation.
John is bright eyed with delight and surprise….
with his rough, tousled hair…
rustic garment…
eyes fixed on the sprinkle of water
to the cascade of his cousin’s perfect flowing hair.
Jesus is lost in a moment of deep contemplation...
eyes loosely closed, his face serene…
right hand placed gently over his heart
to honour this moment of grace and presence.
Both have heard the voice of the Holy One…
“This is my belov-ed”.
Nature responds with verdant vegetation…
an ultramarine sky coalescencing around the hovering Spirit.
A narrow path leads from this life giving event
into the barren mountainside
already responding with signs of new growth.
And there,
on the distant open plain,
twin trees declare the dual nature of the one who is being baptised…
Jesus, both human and divine…
God come among us.
