May 2012 Prayer and Reflection

From the May 2012 cover of Living with Christ

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Breath of Spring Arthur Poulin, OSBCam (1950- )

By Living with Christ Staff

The landscape paintings of Father Arthur Poulin (1950- ), a Camaldolese monk and priest, are created through a highly contemplative process. He first covers a blank canvas in layers of black gesso; then, using dots of color, he brings his light-filled images out of the darkness of the black canvas.

In Breath of Spring, thousands of minute brush strokes portray the beauty of a blossoming tree in spring. Father Poulin explains that the tree’s dark branches symbolize the cross of Christ, while the blossoms speak of resurrection. This representation serves to remind us: we cannot have one without the other.

This month we hear Jesus say, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit” (see John 15:1-8, from the Fifth Sunday of Easter, page 90). While we remain rooted in Christ, we also have a responsibility to bear, to “Grow,” the fruits of Jesus’ resurrection.

If you wish, sit quietly with the picture and reflect on the following questions:

When has God given me light in a time of darkness?

How is Jesus calling me to remain in him and bear the fruits of his resurrection?

What areas of my life could use some pruning in order to live a more fruitful life?

Living with Christ Staff

A publication of Bayard, Inc.

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