2024/12/16

174. The Three Johns

The San Damiano Crucifix depicts three distinctive men. They are John, the author of the Book of Revelation, holding the sealed scroll depicted at the top; John the Apostle, depicted with Jesus' mother to the right of the central crucifix; and a man depicted only from the neck up in a smaller size behind the centurion, on the left side of the crucifix. These three men are depicted with the distinctive form of their foreheads, which is not present in the other figures. 

The portrayal of John, the author of the Book of Revelation, holding the sealed scroll was to draw our attention to the Book of Revelation (cf. blog № 161). The portrayal of John the Apostle, depicted with the mother of Jesus, represents the priesthood and the priest (cf. blog № 166). Then, who is the third man behind the centurion, and what is his theme? 

First, the centurion depicted there represents the Roman Empire, which embraced Christianity. Christianity, which had taken root in the Roman Empire, preserved Rome from the destruction of the Western Roman Empire. Eight hundred years later, Francis was born in a place and time when it was commonplace to be a Christian. At the time, Greek philosophy, especially Aristotle, was gradually influencing the Catholic Church. 

On the other hand, Francis himself was less influenced by academia, emphasising simple living and an honest faith in the teachings of the Church. That was because Francis, who had received John's Gospel and the Book of Revelation from the San Damiano Crucifix, was guided by the Holy Spirit into all the truth. The San Damiano Crucifix had prophesied that Francis would be born and come to see it and was awaiting him. The third man is Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, or St Francis, who also had John in his real name. Behind him are what appear to be the heads of his followers. 

The depiction of the Gospel of John on the San Damiano Crucifix appears to show the moment when Jesus' Church, born with the conclusion of the New Covenant through Jesus' blood, which announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, has fulfilled its mission. The faithful who inherit Christ's work of salvation through their initiation into the faith take on the positions of priests and congregation in the completed Mass liturgy surrounding the Eucharist. Furthermore, they have three callings modelled on the Holy Family - Mary, Joseph and Jesus - which received the only begotten Son of God. 

The subject for Francis was first to reveal the vocations of the Church born near the Cross by embodying the "vocation of Jesus" so that the portrayal of John's Gospel depicted in the crucifix might be fulfilled. However, he accepted the diaconate following the recommendation of the Church because he loved the Church. Vocations of the Church are rooted in the Holy Family. Francis naturally focused on the stable of the Nativity. 

"Solemn Masses were celebrated over the manger, Francis, the Levite of Christ, chanting the Holy Gospel. Then he preached unto the folk standing round of the Birth of the King in poverty, calling Him, when he wished to name Him, the Child of Bethlehem, by reason of his tender love for Him." (The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi by St Bonaventure). 

To be Continued.

Maria K. M.