What happens when the pulpit disappears, and all you’re left with is silence, canvas, and the Word? During Holy Week 2022 — still marked by the COVID-19 pandemic — I encountered the passion of Christ not in a church, but in the quiet of my studio.
With public liturgies like the Stations of the Cross suspended due to social distancing, I spent Holy Week in the art studio, praying and contemplating through paintings of Christ’s passion. I sought to depict the narrative thoughtfully and in my own way, allowing it to unfold as a deeply personal journey. This led to what I would later call “Painting Preaching” —visual interpretations of Scripture offered as fresh material for homilies and Gospel reflections during Sunday Mass.
It begins with reading the Gospel, then moves into studying scriptural commentaries and engaging in deep personal reflection. But unlike the usual process, it requires an additional step: imagining the scene — visualizing the movements, emotions, and atmosphere of the Gospel story. This imaginative contemplation often stretches beyond formal moments of prayer—such as sitting quietly in a chapel—and instead unfolds in the rhythms of daily life: during walks, subway rides, or while performing ordinary tasks.
For example, when drawing the Parable of the Sower, the tree at the center — though sketched in pencil, quiet and monochrome — was inspired by a cherry blossom in full bloom that I saw while walking. In this way, prayer becomes less of an activity and more of a presence—woven into the ordinary, inviting grace to enter through the unexpected.
While a typical homily might be prepared in a relatively short time, Painting Preaching demands more— more time, more imagination, and a willingness to sit patiently until the image reveals itself.
Before I pick up a pencil or brush, I take care to ensure that my work goes beyond simply replicating existing images, even those by renowned Gospel artists like Rembrandt. I aim to create something fresh, even if only a small part feels newly seen — a unique insight or reimagined perspective on the Gospel narrative.
This process takes time and often involves days of contemplation, preparation, and research—yes, research—to refine the vision. The final expression isn’t conveyed through words but through a visual medium: an image brought to life on paper or canvas. Through this creative journey— Painting Preaching—I forge a deeper connection with the Gospel and offer others an opportunity to encounter its message in a new and dynamic way.
The result is Gospel Art—visual expressions inspired by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Rooted in Scripture and tradition, yet open to reinterpretation, it conveys spiritual and theological truths through drawing and painting. While Scripture interpretation involves understanding historical context, literary forms, and presentday relevance, Gospel art brings something distinct: artistic license. This freedom allows the artist to move beyond literal accuracy, embracing creativity, emotion, and personal vision.
Through this act of co-creation—a gift from the God of all Creation—I seek to make space for renewed encounters with the Gospel that are both faithful and transformative. The unique character of these artworks is that, though intended as a resource for preaching and falling under the category of Gospel art, they are not icons or liturgical paintings created specifically for worship, as they lack the technical and formal visual elements typically associated with art displayed in churches.
Unlike, for example, icons, which, according to Christian traditions, are “windows into heaven”— these images are more like mirrors, reflecting our emotions, our questions and longings, our deeply human experiences as we engage with the Gospel.
Instead, I meant it to lead viewers into deeper — and sometimes critical — reflection, inviting them to consider faith from new angles and, at times, to move beyond traditional visual interpretations of the Gospel. As such, they may evoke uncomfortable emotions and confront long-held values or prejudices, creating space for honest questioning and spiritual growth. These works aim to stir the imagination, disrupt familiar perspectives, and offer fresh pathways for encountering the stories of Christ.
Columban Fr. Jason Antiquera lives and works in Korea.