Presently there is an exhibition of art and precious and interesting objects from the Vatican at the Western Reserve Historical Society museum which is truly splendid, thus the name of the exhibition VATICAN SPLENDORS. Having viewed the exhibit I am so grateful to the Western Reserve Historical Society for arranging this presentation of items from the Vatican for our city and for northeast Ohio. This exhibit will only be shown in three American cities. What a gift for it to be here for our viewing!
The opportunity to view extraordinary art and special objects from the past in and of itself is a treat as one marvels at the results of human talent to capture and express beauty. Oftentimes exposure to such beauty provides a picture of the past or meaningful message, thus the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” is so true. Having seen the exhibit I can attest that the SPLENDORS in themselves are well worth the trip to University Circle for all people to see such treasures.
However, going through the various galleries I was struck with the awareness that the Vatican does not send collections of art to be seen solely for the sake of the beauty of the art. Rather, the Vatican shares the treasures, the pieces of beauty, for the sake of telling a bigger story. That story is about God’s Love for us and, indeed for all of humanity, and about our place in that story.
As one goes through the exhibition one is transported back in time to the manifestation of God’s Love into our human situation with the birth of His divine Son, preceded with the invitation to Mary to be the Mother of God and the work of John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord. The story continues to the suffering and death of Jesus and then to the Resurrection. The story is highlighted with a picture of Jesus with the crown of thorns upon his head, which is exhibited for the first time in the Vatican Splendors.
God’s care and commitment continues in so many ways. A pre-eminent way is through the institution of his holy Church founded upon the Apostles Peter and Paul in the City of Rome. And so the story continues to unfold as one travels through the galleries of the Western Reserve Historical Society museum.
There is special emphasis upon the recent successors of Peter which will please people as it recalls person and events which were actually lived through. This recent history seen in this setting raises up the deeper significance of it all as part of God’s plan, God providing for not only His believing followers but also for all people. This is witnessed to by John Paul II’s many trips throughout the world bringing the Gospel message to all people, and I am sure in later exhibits of VATICAN SPLENDORS will be enhanced by the witness of Benedict XVI’s trip to our country and his speaking at the United Nations this past April
This short article cannot capture all the different items in the exhibit, but the entire effort radically portrays God’s Love for all and offers Beauty as the gateway to this Truth of our faith. As St. John the Evangelist, our diocesan patron, wrote in his final epistle: It is not that we have loved God, but that He loved us by having His Son come and live among us.
VATICAN SPLENDORS tells this story and tells it very well. It does so by enticing us into the story so that we are not just viewers but we are part of the story, the story is about us. This is what makes this so special, as it speaks about our faith, our relationship with God, God’s relationship with us, and what lies ahead!
At the end of the exhibit the message is not about what one has seen and experienced so much as it is “about the going forward.” Using the words of our Lord, the exhibit sets us on our way--“Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations.” The story is not over. Having experienced the unfolding of God’s plan we, as people of faith, need to see ourselves being participants in the continuing unfolding and making known God’s message to all people.
Yes, at its very core VATICAN SPLENDORS is about our faith, how it has been lived, and the need for it to be lived with fervor and dedication so that God’s will may be done—that means you and me.
It is my earnest hope that a great many of the faithful of our Diocese, as well as other people, may experience this story through the informative and beautiful exhibit at Western Reserve Historical Society. May its beauty deepen our faith in God’s Love for all and in His Church as His ongoing presence in the world and result in our going forth heralding this Good News.