Mosaics

July 30^th, 2008 – Nazareth

As you enter the Church of the Annunciation, you are greeted by a courtyard of mosaics representing Mary and the baby Jesus as created by countries from around the world. Walking through the shade of the mosaics – they are BIG, larger than life-sized – it is easy to forget the checkpoints, the Wall and the injustice of the occupation that exists just beyond the Church’s gate. Passing the cave that is considered to be the home of Mary, the Church opens up into the main sanctuary where international mosaics keep watch over pilgrims and those at prayer. As a Canadian, I was eager to see my country’s representation of Christ. I found the Japanese Mary and Jesus and those from various European countries and, finally, amidst the life-like images of brightly coloured glass and jewels was my country’s contribution. At first glance it looks like a huge stucco wall gone wrong – all clay-coloured, without any human figures or myriad pieces of precisely cut stone. Our tour guide only paused by it because it was near a breeze – he couldn’t tell our group much more than it was made by an Aboriginal Canadian artist and that most everyone classified it as “different”. Although Canada’s image wasn’t the in-your-face, 3-D Jesus that was in the USA’s mosaic, I was pleased with what Canada had to offer and that Canada’s creation was accepted in a place of honour despite its “different”-ness. And while each country’s image of mother and child were more or less distinct, Canada’s abstract and simplified version was as fitting an image as the others. The images, after all, are interpretations of the same faith. I am proud to be a Christian (and Canadian!) when it means respecting, accepting and celebrating diversity – especially when it would be easier (or more aesthetic) not to. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but remember: we are all created in God’s image and He is a unifying Creator that exceeds definitions of denomination, race and nationality.

-Katie M.