In the late 1990’s I went to an exhibition in the South Australian Art Gallery of Still Life paintings. Still Life is a genre within art. They are often very domestic scenes of household objects arranged on or with furniture. Eg. flowers in a vase. Art pieces which then often adorn household walls. I had never taken Still Life’s seriously as they appeared at first glance nice pictures. Although, while at the exhibition, reading the little notes next to the paintings put there by the curator. I realised that there was much much more to a Still Life. They can reflect the time when the piece was created, & could be full of social commentary & symbolism. It inspired me to have a go one day & produce my own still life. In 1997 I created a photographic Still Life series of 4 images on the first verse of our reading from Acts Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”. The book of Acts is part 2 of the Gospel of Luke. Though out Luke’s 2 part gospel is the term and concept of household. Household in the 1 Cent encompasses home & property, family members, kin, servants & friends, meals, hospitality & domestic life. Luke uses household as a way to understand & describe the community of witnesses to the resurrected Christ. It was the zone of the Spirit, the home of the children of God. The followers of ‘The Way’. (these were not known as Christians – yet) The entry into this household, this community of witnesses was baptism.
Our reading from Luke chapter 2 takes place on the day of Pentecost, after Peter’s sermon. The verse immediately before our reading is 4:41 so those who welcomes this message were baptised, and that day about three thousand were added. This is a growing community (household) Of followers of ‘The Way’. What was expected of them?
We do not know if what Luke describes was the common practice or an ideal, It does describe, A way to live as the household of God’s new world.And how is that? Its all sincinctly put in verse 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”. This way of living was completely at odds with life at that time. The temple system with its religious laws and purity system was a system that excluded. Power was held by a few, wealth distributed according to the wishes of a few in power. You only ate if you had work that day.The household in contrast, was inclusive & sharing. It was a way of being the community of believers that was accessible to all who heard. The good news of Jesus and following ‘The Way’ was possible in their own domestic lives.
The same could be said for us today. My 4 still Life images sought to place this passage in a contemporary context.
They devoted themselves; To the apostles teachings
Within the Still Life what do you see?
Our Drawing room – place to gather. No people so you can place yourself in the scene
Chair in foreground(left), so gazer can enter The door is open, an inclusive activity.
Central is the bible, the word, food for the world. Connected to food platter on the table.
Luke presents Jesus as food to the world in his nativity by placing Jesus in a manger – a food trough. The lamp to the right alludes to Jesus as ‘lamp to my feet and a light to my path, Psalm 119:105
And fellowship Koinonia is the Greek word here.
It is both a spiritual community, and a physical community
Within the Still Life what do you see?
Chairs are empty for the viewer to enter in.
The koinonia is not bound within the confines of the house yet remains within the household. – back verandah. A moment that includes rest with the inference of doing
The doing - the sharing of time and resources – the shovel, fork, wheelbarrow, gloves.
Photographs on the table are of family & friends, people from church and house group at the time. A community that transcends time, past present future.
Food is shared – nourishing. Tasks is not complete the work carries on.
to breaking of bread
Within the Still Life what do you see?
Last Supper & Supper at Emmaus. Were the breaking of bread together at a normal meal. A meal table set with Bread & wine central. Door is open this meal is inclusive of all who enter. Chairs are empty so we can enter in. Chair nearest the door is facing the door allowing room for a new guest. A new setting is ready for a new arrival
And prayers
Within the Still Life what do you see?
Set for prayerful contemplation. Central is a cross & a single light.
Light symbolises the light of Christ that illuminates scripture before it.
Following ‘The Way’ or living a Christian life today is also accessible for us today. It is something we can do in our own household. Our own household that includes family, friends, And faith family of this church.