We move from the overflowing love of God and his lavishness in creation to that same love manifested in Jesus dying and suffering for us. The figure of Jesus on the cross is based on that of a crucifixion from  L’Arche, the community which was founded by Jean Vanier for disabled persons.

The figure conveys the gentleness, strength and compassion of Jesus' love for  us .

I painted a circus clown on this crucifixion. Clowns are intriguing. They wear masks as we often do. Masks or disguises hide our real selves as when we try to impress others and God by our achievements or status. Yet Jesus dies for us as we are and goes beyond the facades we put up. He knows us in our deepest depths,  even in those dark places that we would rather forget or deny.

Henri Nouwen, the famous spiritual writer who died in 1996, lived with a L’Arche community towards the end of his life. He was a man who wrote from his own vulnerabilities which is why he is perhaps so Impressive and inspiring a writer. He was drawn to the trapeze act (which I have painted in this picture). The trust that the one who is flying puts in the one who is catching is a parallel for our trust in God.

Remember, says Nouwen, that you are a beloved child of God. He will be there when you make your long jump but you must not try to grab him. He will grab you.  Just put out your arms and your hands and trust, trust, trust..