The Angelus

The primary image which graces this blog, showing the man and wife at prayer in the field is named "The Angelus". It is just loaded with content and symbolism. Looking carefully at this painting one sees the church steeple in the background. At that point in history there were no clocks as we know them today. Rather, for the simple man and woman, time was maintained through the tolling of the monastery or church bell, and as this bell was rung, this became a reminder or impetus to prayer. The Angelus is a prayer which recalls the basic mystery of the Incarnation. In the Middle Ages, cities were built around monasteries, and the monks with the ideals they pointed to were the primary role models for the citizens of each city. Today we don't very much esteem such kinds of role models, but for the most part, through the powerful prompting of the media, we are enamored by exemplars who "image" or witness to the ways and means of "human" life which, unfortunately, turn us away from true and wholesome human identity and the proper recognition of "who we are", "where we stand", and "what we need".