In keeping with the tradition of past Easters, today's commentary will use the arts to illustrate the lectionary readings. This year, architecture and pieces of outdoor sculpture will be examined for the light they throw on the passages.
The prophet whose words are recorded in Isaiah 65 was a true visionary. He saw a world of the future that was so new, so revolutionary, that it could only be described as a new heavens and a new earth. Although trends in architecture change over time, some pieces are able to capture--and hold--the spirit of innovation for years after they are first built. The Crystal Cathedral is a building that integrates the interior world of Christian worship with the external world of the community that surrounds it, Garden City, California. The building reminds worshipers that what the church does in private will be known by the world; furthermore, the architecture suggests that the business of the church is the world around it. The London Eye is the world's largest Ferris wheel, and though many might think of it as a ride or merely a tourist attraction, it is more than that. Towering over the city of London, the Eye allows riders to view the city in a completely different way than they normally do. It reminds us that there are many different ways to look at the world, and the more perspectives from which we view it, the better we'll be able to understand it. The Sydney Opera House was designed in the late 1950s by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, and it was a design that at the time was impossible to build, because the engineering behind the multiple sails that comprise the roof had not yet been developed. The building opened in 1973, and it quickly became an iconic symbol of Australia, and it remains so today. The sails strike the viewer as though the Opera House were a great ship about to leave the harbor. It reminds those who see it that the world is ever moving, ever changing, and if we are to remain relevant, we must change as well.
"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." This verse from Psalm 118 has been a favorite of worshipers from time immemorial, and it is especially appropriate to read on Easter Sunday. The joy that characterizes Christians on Easter is well reflected in the many fountains of Rome. When you stand and look at the fountains or sit and watch the water spurt forth and bubble over the edges of the basins, you can't help but feel happy. Ottorino Respighi wrote a musical suite about the fountains of Rome, and many, perhaps all, are worth visiting if you get the chance. The three that are chosen here are among the most beautiful and striking. Probably the most famous fountain in Rome is the Trevi Fountain, named for the three roads (tre vie) that converge there. The Trevi Fountain features Neptune, god of the seas, riding in a shell-chariot, pulled by two sea-horses (actual horses, not seahorses). Water splashes all about, and both a busy tourist and a tired Roman can sit for a few minutes beside the fountain and soon forget that they are in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world. Just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain one finds the Triton Fountain in the Piazza Barberini. It consists of a statue of Triton, the son of Neptune, sitting astride a bivalve mollusk, which is supported on the tails of three dolphins (the fish, i.e., mahi-mahi, not the mammals). Triton is rearing his head back and blowing on a conch shell, from which shoots a jet of water high into the air. It practically exudes joy! It reminds us that playfulness is good for all of us. The third fountain on our list is the Fountain of the Tortoises. In this fountain, four large shells form catch basins for the water that flows from above. The large basin at the top sits on a central stem, but four young boys with one foot apiece resting on the head of a fish extend their arms upward and help four tortoises edge over the rim of the basin. The resulting picture is both thoroughly ridiculous and completely charming. The boys look silly balancing on a fish head while helping a tortoise up, and they couldn't care less. It brings to mind Francis of Assisi, who was sometimes called God's fool. Would that we were as "foolish," and had the joy, of St. Francis!
Paul may not have made a sharp distinction between the resurrection and ascension of Christ, as the reading from 1 Corinthians suggests. Christians have traditionally used the metaphor of vertical distance to describe Christ's ascent into heaven, and even secular buildings are often designed to draw the viewer's attention skyward. The Chartres Cathedral in France is a classic example of Gothic architecture. The lines of the church draw one's attention to the sky, and this is particularly true of the two towers that soar above the roof to heights of 105 and 113 meters. The towers, along with much of the rest of the architecture, are designed to remind worshipers that the earth is not the ultimate reality, for our ultimately destiny lies with God in heaven. The Eiffel Tower was at one time the tallest building in the world, and though it has been surpassed in height by many other structures, its distinctive look makes it the most recognized tower in the world. Constructed of steel beams and cables, it is an engineering wonder, both solid and semi-transparent. It reminds us that when one views the world from on high, everything takes on a different perspective. The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were the world's tallest building from 1998 to 2004, and they remain the tallest twin towers. Their distinctive shape and modern design make them memorable. Moreover, the fact that they are twin towers reminds us that no one is alone in their attempt to reach beyond themselves, if they will but look around.
The Gospel reading for today centers around the empty tomb and Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene. Memorials for the dead have long attracted the attention of architects, rulers, and ordinary people. One of the oldest memorials in the world is the pyramids of Giza. Built during the Egyptian Old Kingdom, the three great pyramids mark the resting place of three pharaohs of the period. The fact that people still remember the names of those three kings about five thousand years after they died is testimony to the fact that they memorials did their job. The Taj Mahal in India is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, and it was built by an emperor as a memorial to his favorite wife. The reflecting pool in front enhances the majesty of the building, and the white marble is symbolic of purity, particularly the purity that one can only attain in the afterlife. In contrast to the white marble of the Taj Mahal, the black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is meant to evoke a sense of loss for fallen soldiers in an ill-conceived war. The names imprinted on the wall are a reminder of the high cost of war, as well as of the bravery of the soldiers who gave their lives. The permanence of the memorial also suggests that those who have died before continue to live on in our hearts and minds.