jim henson

The Presence by Alfred Edward Borthwick was painted in St. Mary's Cathedral in Scotland  in 1910 and shows Christ comforting a woman who has stayed behind while everyone else has gone forward for Holy Communion.

There is so much in this painting!

Christ's light shines from both Himself and from the altar.  The painting is dark except for these 2 light sources.  Jesus is the Source of all our Light, in repentance, in prayer, and in the sacraments of the Church .

The woman is dressed all in black, as if in mourning and Christ appears to comfort her in her sorrow.  Perhaps she is mourning the fact that she is not part of the community and can not yet participate fully. Perhaps she has stayed behind because she is conscious of a grave sin. Christ does not ignore her sorrow--He comes to show her His love--he notices her discomfort.

The style of this piece is very like Rembrandt.  He was well known for his ability to show light as if it were coming directly from a subject.