GOSPEL OF JOHN & LUKE
Fr Thamburaj SJ rejuvenated his sprit by these fabulous work in the year 2021
The paintings of Fr.AJ. Thamburaj,S.J. can be divided into three categories: Expressionism, Symbolism and Abstract Art.
• Fr.AJ. Thamburaj,S.J. combines elements of Western abstract, Indian art with Symbolism and Mythology to convey Christian ideas.
• Fr.AJ. Thamburaj,S.J. follows the school of German Expressionism and Symbolism in his attempt to harmonize Indian philosophy and Christian theology
German expressionism was an early twentieth century German art movement that emphasized the artist's inner feelings or ideas over replicating reality, and was characterised by simplified shapes, bright colours and gestural marks or brushstrokes
• From the biblical stories, the main source of his inspiration, Fr.AJ. Thamburaj,S.J. seeks the "universal meaning" which touches the hearts of everybody.
• "Through his paintings Fr.AJ. Thamburaj,S.J. conveys theology in visual form.
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"His pictures are meant not merely to be seen and admired but to be meditated upon and prayed over. thus, art for him is not just a fascinating hobby but a beautiful apostolate" Joe Rosario.
• "He combines in his paintings the strength and force of Georges Rouault and the softness and sweetness of Maurice Denis"-Jacques Gabin SJ-a French critic.
PHILIP INTRODUCES NATHANEAL TO JESUS (JOHN: 1: 43-51)
Philip introduces Nathanael to Jesus. Jesus enters into the conversation of salvation. The second part represents the teaching of Jesus to Nathanael, “UNLESS YOU ARE BORN AGAIN YOU CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD”. Nathanael is sitting under a fig tree. Normally, Jews study the bible sitting under a fig tree. When someone sits under a fig tree, he is to be enlightened by GOD. This sketch has got two parts, on the left Philip pointing to Jesus and speaking to Nathanael and Jesus is speaking about the kingdom of god to Nathanael.
JOHN THE BAPTIST AND JESUS
(JOHN: 1: 29-34)
John the Baptist is baptizing Jesus and telling his disciples, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”, which is depicted as the Lamb in the picture and a dove signifies that the baptism is done by the Holy Spirit. In this sketch we see three symbols a dove, water and a lamb. Dove represents Holy Spirit, water represents living water, then down is a lamb which is the Lamb of God. This sketch has two panels, on the left john the Baptist pointing out to Jesus and on the right john the Baptist baptizing Jesus.
THE WEDDING AT CANA
(JOHN: 2: 1-11)
Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding of CANA. There are six jars and six is an incomplete number representing the Old Testament and Jesus becomes the seventh jar indicating that the law and the prophecies are fulfilled in him. The new wine offered by Jesus is an excellent wine and it gives joy to those who attended the wedding ceremony. The bride and the bridegroom are looking at the miracle with great admiration.
THE POOL AT BETHZATHA
(JOHN: 5: 1-18)
A large number of people were lying down sick for many years waiting to get into the water and a particular man could not make it for many years, so Jesus touches him and heals him of his paralysis. The power of Jesus is represented in the form of circles impacting the sick person. The sick man was lying at the pool for 38 long years, could represent the wandering state of the Israelites in the desert and the Messiah the new prophet liberates the paralyzed man. The five porticos could represent the TORAH – the first five books of the Hebrew bible. Old Testament laws could not liberate the sick man, but Jesus could do.
MULTIPLICATION OF LOAVES
(JOHN: 6: 1-15)
Jesus takes what they had (5 loaves of bread and 2 fish) and multiply the bread and the fish. In the hands of Jesus, “little becomes big and small things become great”. By breaking the bread and distributing it, he appeases the thirst and hunger of the people. He shares with his disciples, the responsibility of feeding the people. Even material good is considered by Jesus as important. It is a fore taste pointing towards the breaking of the bread and turning this into a Sacrament of the Eucharist.
JESUS WASHES THE DISCIPLES' FEET
(JOHN: 13: 1-20)
Before, Jesus entering into the passion he manifests his humility by washing the feet of his disciples to show an example of “What I have done, you shall also do”. Peter protests that he should not wash his feet. But Jesus says, “Unless I wash your feet, you will not have an inheritance with me. Then peter replies,” Lord wash not only my feet, but also my head. Jesus replied, “It is enough to wash the feet”. It is also an example that we should wash one another’s feet.
WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTARY
(JOHN: 8: 1-11)
On top of the picture, shows the leaders of the Jewish religion pointing at the women. In the next lower part the leaders are murmuring and shouting that how Jesus could forgive this woman. But, Jesus writes on the ground, the sins of the leaders who were standing and accusing her. When they saw the writing on the sand, they left the crowd one by one beginning with elders. Jesus tells the woman, “Go in peace and do not sin any more”. Jesus condemns the sin, but not the sinner. When we are faced with weak and sinful people, we have to ask ourselves, “Who am I to judge”? The judgment belongs to the Lord.
I AM THE LIVING WATER
(JOHN 7: 37-39)
Jesus is giving the people the living water. The people are drinking it and are satisfied. The living water is also the other name for the Holy Spirit. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink, let the one who believes in me, as the scriptures has said, From his heart shall flow rivers of living water”, now he said about the spirit in which believers in him were to receive. For as yet there was no spirit because Jesus was not yet glorified.
THE MAN BORN BLIND IS HEALED BY JESUS (JOHN: 9: 1-41)
Jesus said to the man born blind, “Go and wash yourself in the pool of Siloam”. He went to the pool of Siloam and washed and saw. He also put his hands many times on the eyes of many blind people. The Pharisees are critising him for healing on the Sabbath day. We see compassion flowing from the eyes of Jesus. On the contrary, we see hatred and questions in the eyes of the Pharisees for them the LAW is more important than LOVE. Jesus goes beyond the law, because he is the author of the law. For him compassion comes first.
JESUS RAISES LAZARUS TO LIFE
(JOHN:1 :1-53)
Jesus had intimate friends; Lazarus, Martha and Mary. They were of great help and encouragement to him. Jesus wept when his friend Lazarus died. And after four days he goes to the tomb and raises Lazarus to life. The family is very happy because the friendship produced a concrete fruit in the miracle of the raising of Lazarus. When Jesus wept for Lazarus, his enemies the Jews said, “See how loved him”. Jesus said, “Unbind him and let him go”. We also need to be unbound and be liberated by Jesus.
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPERD
(JOHN: 10: 1-30)
In his preaching Jesus said, “I am the GOOD SHEPHERD”. GOOD SHEPHERD in Greek also means a beautiful shepherd. A shepherd keeps awake constantly guarding the sheep lest a thief enters and steal away the sheep. A man can be seen entering by jumping over the wall, is a thief. Whereas Jesus holding the lamb on his shoulders protecting and loving them. Jesus the good shepherd not only protected the sheep but also ready to lay down his life for his sheep. We are his sheep and through the cross and resurrection, we the sheep have got new life and new hope that one day we shall also raise again like our Master.
A SINFUL WOMAN IS FORGIVEN
(LUKE: 7: 36-50)
A sinful woman is forgiven. She comes to Jesus out of gratitude when he was dining in a house. She falls at his feet and wipes the sacred feet of Jesus with her tears and long hair. She breaks the costly aromatic contained in a bottle, signifying that she breaks with her past life. The disciples are witnessing the scene with wonder and also with surprise. Because by entering the house, the sinful woman contaminates the house. But Jesus accepts her as she is and forgives her sin and sends her home with great joy.
I AM THE WINE AND YOU ARE THE BRANCHES (JOHN: 15 )
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This represents the twelve Apostles as part of the wine and in the centre Jesus is represented as the stock of the wine from which they derive the power and energy. is the head of the church and people are part of his body. This reminds us of what Paul said of the unity in the body of Christ, “the gifts he gave were some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God and to the maturity to the measure of the full stature of Christ. (Ephesians: 4 :11-13)
JESUS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE
(LUKE: 2 : 22-38)
Jesus’ parents Joseph and Mary faithfully followed the Jewish law that after forty days of the birth of a male baby, the mother goes to the temple and gets purified and presents the baby according to the Jewish culture that the first born belongs to the God “YEHWEH”. And we see two other figures participating in this event. Both of them are old waiting eagerly for the coming of the Messiah. They are Simeon and Anna. Simeon prophesied about the sufferings that mother Mary would undergo, “as for you (Mary) a sword shall pierce your heart too”. “at that very moment she(Anna) came up to them and gave praise to God and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS
(LUKE: 9: 28-36)
Before his passion and death, Jesus took three of his disciples and manifests his divinity for few moments. Moses and Elijah appeared to and speak to him about the departure (EXODUS). Jesus said, “The law and the prophecies are fulfilled in me”. Moses represents the law- THE TORA and Elijah represents the Prophets. Hence, all the Old Testament sayings are fulfilled in the person of Jesus. Down the mountain are the three disciples experiencing the transfiguration of Jesus in an ecstatic way. They experienced in a fraction of seconds the divinity of Jesus. They were strengthened in faith and reconciled to the fact that Jesus will suffer and die for them.
BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Jesus for the first time at the age of twelve experiences that the God is his father and the temple is the dwelling place of the YEHWEH. Therefore, he goes and stays there without informing his parents. He is asking questions intelligently to the learned Pharisees. He also answers all their questions in an amazing way. The shape of the arches in the temple looks similar to the faces of the Pharisees and the face of Jesus himself. It is to be noted, the conversation between Mary and the boy Jesus, “Mary said,” your father and I having very worried while searching for you”. Then he said to them,’ why were you looking for me, did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house. See the contrast in the statement of Mary and Jesus, Your father-my father’s house.
JESUS AS THE SADHGURU
The picture represents Christ as the Indian Guru in a calm meditative mood. As a Sanyasi, he is represented with long hair and beard. It leads you to contemplation. In western paintings we always see Jesus represented as a man of action, but in the Indian paintings, Jesus is represented as the man of contemplation and a guru who guides his disciples and leads them to enlightenment.
WE ADORE THEE O LORD
A man is bending down in adoring the Lord. In many Psalms we come across the praises and worships of the Psalmist to the Lord. It represents one of the Psalms of Praise called HALAL or HILLEL. We see here a man whose posture is one of the adorations – eyes closed, hands joined. This could be rendered in stained glass.
A LOVING FAMILY
The Holy family is represented in the painting, where the lines lead to embracing one another. A very ideal, loving and understanding family. The first face on top represents Jesus followed by Mary and Joseph. Mary is carrying baby Jesus on her shoulders – typically an Indian posture.
PIETA
PIETA is a technical term in Italian which means - The dead Jesus laid on the lap of Mother Mary. This picture represents the PIETA in the Indian way.
MADONNA AND CHILD
Madonna on the centre and Jesus on the right being embraced by the mother. It is a popular theme among the artists.
THE NATIVITY OF JESUS
Jesus was born in a humble way in a stable. Joseph and Mother Mary are represented in the painting. There are certain symbols like donkey, bull, lamb and sword representing the prophecy of Simeon and a star that lead the MAJI (Three Scholars) to the crib. Joseph also is also taking part in the suffering of Mary which is represented here with a cross on his forehead. The figure of Jesus is not brought out except the manger. The donkey carried Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. The bull and the lamb are the signs of the objects of the sacrifice. The sword represents the sufferings of mother Mary.
MARY VISITING ELIZABETH
(LUKE: 1: 39-45)
On top to the left are Mary and Elizabeth to the right. Both of them were anointed by the Holy Spirit and had a miraculous birth of their children. Therefore, the descent of the Holy Spirit is represented in the form of flames entering into their wombs and Holy Spirit being the agent of the birth of child Jesus and John the Baptist. The Hoy Spirit is represented in the sketch as also a bird- a dove.
JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN
(JOHN 4: 1-42)
Jesus asks for water from the Samaritan woman. Samaritan woman claims, “There is no bucket and how can you draw water? And we don’t use the same vessel, because you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman”. We have a cultural and caste difference. But Jesus breaks the barrier of caste and cultural phenomenon and reveals himself as a true Living Water. The Samaritan woman discovers that Jesus is the true Messiah and she bears witness before her people and invites them to come and see the Messiah. But Jesus says, “I am the Living Water”. Therefore, she holds the empty jar and Jesus pours from him the Living Water.
NICODEMUS AND JESUS
(JOHN: 3: 1-23)
It represents a great scholar Nicodemus and Jesus discussing the kingdom of God. Jesus comes in the darkness and enlightens him regarding the kingdom of God saying, “Unless you are born of the Spirit you cannot enter the kingdom of God”. A small jar is also represented over which the Holy Spirit is hovering in making the jar sacred. Thus, the Baptism is represented. Nicodemus came in darkness and goes back enlightened, affirming that he has encountered the Messiah.
THE PENTECOST
The coming of the Holy Spirit on the early believers. In the centre of the picture Mother Mary is there to guide and instruct about receiving the Holy Spirit. The Moon is depicted to signify the presence of Mother Mary. The disciples are in deep meditation and contemplation and the spirit is descending on them in the form of tongues of fire.
THE BELOVED DISCIPLE
JOHN ( 13: 21-36 )
The beloved disciple St. John the Apostle was very intimate with Jesus. He leaned on the chest of Jesus during the last supper and later on during the crucifixion, he stood by the cross, which is represented by the second picture and the third picture in a third circle represents meditating the life of Jesus. He wrote the Gospel and the Revelation by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
MY LORD AND MY GOD
(JOHN 20: 24-29)
MY LORD AND MY GOD is the spiritual expression of the manifestation of the divinity of Jesus. The unbelieving St. Thomas was invited to put his right hand on the wound of Jesus and then, he expresses the divine faith by saying, “MY LORD AND MY GOD”. The right hand of Jesus is pointing towards heaven in other words Jesus says, “I have to go to my father”. As you face the picture, on the left is St. Thomas inserting his finger into the wound of Jesus and on the right you have Jesus pointing his finger upward. Below is the throne, St. Thomas occupying as a Bishop.
MARY MAGDELNE AND JESUS
(JOHN 20: 11-18)
Mary after three days of the death of Jesus goes to the tomb and finds it empty and the stone was removed. Jesus comes out of the tomb which is in dark shade, but once she meets him in the garden, the Risen Jesus encounters her and blesses her.
THE LOST COIN
LUKE (15:8-10)
In the Jewish weddings either the husband or the father of the bride donates 10 silver coins. The forehead is decorated with silver coins but one is missing and that is very precious for her as it was almost equal to the wedding ring. Therefore, she diligently searches and finds it which is depicted in the middle part of the picture. The lower part of the picture shows the girl showing the lost coin and dances hectically in order to express her joy.
MARY JESUS AND JOHN
JOHN ( 19: 25-27 )
The picture shows the crucified Jesus and Mary, John and other disciples who were standing on either sides of the cross expressing their love for the lord Jesus. The sufferings they underwent with Jesus is represented by three nails. The lordship and divinity of Christ is represented by Christos.
THE PRODIGAL FATHER
(LUKE 15 : 11-32)
The Prodigal Father is represented here embracing the son who comes back after wasting all his wealth. It also shows that he is being loved and accepted by the father so intimately that the boys head and the beard of the father are merged into one.
DISCIPLES AT EMMAUS
(LUKE 24: 13-25)
Two of the disciples of Jesus were disappointed because Jesus was crucified and buried. They thought everything was over in the life of Jesus. With depression and disappointment they go away from Jerusalem. Jesus like a Good Shepherd comes after them and encounters them, consoles them and comforts them. Then he explains the plan of salvation that he had to die and raise again and be the supreme lord of the Universe. He explains to them the word of god and he eats with them and breaks bread with them and gives them Eucharist and their eyes are opened and they recognized the lord Jesus as their master. Then they go back to Jerusalem and share their experiences of the risen lord to the other disciples.
THE RISEN PASTOR
The picture represents the Risen Jesus, but in the form of a Pastor surrounded by his disciples. The shepherd’s staff guides them to the living waters. On top is the secret code at the time of persecution of the early Christians which is ICTHUS that is represented in the form of a fish. Below is the symbol of the slaughtered lamb which shows the sacrifice of Jesus.
JESUS CALMING THE STORM
The disciples were in great desperation and depression. By calming the storm Jesus brings peace to the people of God.
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
(LUKE: 10: 25-37)
A man is attacked by thieves and half dead. To the right of the man are two people going away after seeing this man, one was a priest and another was a Levite, as they were going to attend a ceremony in the temple. Whereas, a Samaritan who is considered as an outcast by the Jews treats the injured man by pouring oil, wine and binds the wounds and administers the first aid. Then he takes him on his donkey to Jerusalem and cares of him.