“The Clay” 2016
by Ron DiCianni
Ron DiCianni is an illustrator, born in Chicago. In 1989 he began his mission to ‘Reclaim the Arts for Christ’ and focus solely on Christ-centred art.
In his work “The Clay”, we see God as the Potter. Notice that outwardly, the woman needs no work. However, the Master has the ability to look deep inside and see the cracks forming that, if not taken care of, will compromise the vessel’s integrity. This painting speaks to us as the clay in the loving hands of God. The aim of the artist was to offer encouragement, that while sometimes growth comes through pain, other times God can gently mould the yielded soul. In the words of DiCianni: “I realise any painting can make you look; I'm hoping that mine will help you see.”
Lectio - Hebrews Chapter 9:24-28
Jerusalem Bible
3:12 May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race as much as we love you. 3:13 And may he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes with all his saints. 4:1 Finally, brothers, we urge you and appeal to you in the Lord Jesus to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live: the life that God wants, as you learnt from us, and as you are already living it.
4:2 You have not forgotten the instructions we gave you on the authority of the Lord Jesus.
New International Version
3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones 4:1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
The Amplified Bible Version
3:12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may strengthen and establish your hearts without blame in holiness in the sight of our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints (God’s people). 4 Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]. 2 For you know what commandments and precepts we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
MEDITATIO
Introduction
The First Epistle to the Thessalonians is a deeply personal pastoral letter written by Paul around 50-51 AD to a young church facing significant persecution. Employing a parental approach of both comfort and exhortation, Paul addresses the community's spiritual challenges with remarkable tenderness and clarity.
The epistle's central theme is the anticipation of Christ's return, a hope mentioned in each chapter and treated as the letter's primary doctrinal focus. More than theological instruction, the letter reveals the transformative power of the early Christian message. It demonstrates how the gospel reshapes individual lives and community dynamics, presenting a model of Christian discipleship marked by love, hope, and anticipation of Christ's ultimate return. Through this correspondence, Paul bridges apostolic teaching with lived faith, offering a rich testament to the spiritual journey of the early church.
Love as a Transformative Force (3:12)
Paul's opening directive reveals love as:
• An active, growing spiritual energy
• A divine empowerment beyond human capability
• A call to radical, comprehensive love
The verb "increase and abound" in the Greek suggests: Supernatural expansion and intentional cultivation of love.
Movement beyond natural human affection.
Holiness Through Love (3:13)
Paul connects love directly to spiritual transformation:
• Love as the mechanism of sanctification
• Holiness emerging from a heart filled with divine love
• Preparation for Christ's return
"Blameless" in the Greek implies: Integrity that withstands scrutiny and transformation, not just rule-following. A heart aligned with God's character
The Horizon of Christ's Coming (3:13b)
The expectation of Christ's return is:
• A living, immediate hope
• A transformative encounter
• Not a threatening judgment, but a joyful reunion
"Coming" in the Greek represents: Intimate fellowship and completed redemption. Ultimate fulfilment of divine love
Continuous Spiritual Progress (4:1-2)
Paul emphasises:
• Spiritual growth as a dynamic journey
• Perpetual openness to divine transformation
• Constant movement in faith
"Do so more and more" in the Greek, highlights:
• Progressive spiritual advancement
• Perpetual spiritual hunger
• Continuous receptivity to God's work
This passage reveals a comprehensive
vision of spiritual life.
* Divine love transforms believers from within, turning passive sentiment into an active, life-changing power that continuously reshapes character and purpose.
* Holiness springs not from rigid rules, but from the profound inner work of God's transformative love, creating genuine spiritual authenticity.
* The promised return of Christ is not a distant event, but an immediate motivation that infuses every moment with profound spiritual significance and hope.
* Spiritual growth is an intentional, ongoing journey of transformation, where each step is a conscious movement toward deeper alignment with divine purposes.
Divine love is not static but a dynamic, expansive energy that continuously reshapes believers, preparing them for intimate fellowship with God.
ORATIO
Loving Father,
Increase and overflow our love for one another
and for all people,
just as Your love overflows in us.
Strengthen our hearts in holiness, making us blameless before You.
Grant us the grace to live in a way that pleases You,
as the apostle Paul taught.
Help us to walk in obedience,
not out of fear, but out of love and reverence
for Your divine instruction.
Empower us to grow,
moving away from selfish desires
and towards Your perfect will.
May we be faithful to Your call,
living not by our own understanding,
but by Your divine wisdom and grace.
Transform us daily,
making us more like Christ,
who reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
CONTEMPLATIO
Love Propels Holiness
1 John 4:19: "We love because He first loved us."
John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commands.”
Colossians 3:14: "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Hope Inspires Action
Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hebrews 10:23-24: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
1 Peter 1:13: "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming."
Growth as a Continuous, Intentional Response
2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Colossians 2:6-7: “So then, just as you received Chris Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
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