Third Sunday of Lent
“… We boast in hope of the glory of God. And hope does not disappoint…”
Saint Paul in his letter to the Romans, which we read during the second reading of today’s Mass, reminds us that hope does not disappoint. Yet, I reflect on how often I fear that I will be disappointed! Perhaps, I place my hope in the wrong things. In the wrong people.
The call to artists is unique and requires a particular bravery to accept. God chooses only the courageous to engage with vulnerability and the challenge of laying one’s heart before an audience, with the hope of its positive reception. He chooses the sensitive, the bold, the daring, the listener, the receiver. He chooses the quick-thinker, the hyper-analytical, the perfectionist, the authentic. He chooses people such as these to share in His great task of creation as artists, because artists reflect the glory of God with every spark, inspiration, image, poem, song, and performance. At least, this is what we are called to do, and among an industry of artists that are trying to be God or beat Him, this becomes a nearly impossible task.
This is the true courage of an artist. To continue to boast in the glory of God, despite the risks of ostracism, disapproval, or even hatred, is the first step towards fulfilling God’s distinct call to artists. To resist the lies of the artistic industries around us — industries which confuse appraisal for approval — is the second. To overcome these challenges, we must trust that our hope need only be placed in the promise of the reward of Heaven. Thus, we also hope that our artistic creations will inspire the minds and hearts of our audiences to hope in that same promise. Any other hope, whether in the appraisal of others or marketability of our craft, is ultimately secondary and risks never finding true fulfillment.
It is important that we acknowledge the times we are not brave in the face of such challenges as a hindrance to our own art-making. To be an artist is to be generous, and what greater generosity is there than to honor the Source of our gifts, to give back to the Giver? Strive, then, for the true, the good, and the beautiful. Strive, then, to confront with counter-culture. Strive, then, to reach into the depths of your heart and tell of the human condition in a refreshing light. Strive and strive to be an artist for Him and Him alone, no matter your medium or experience.
This Lent, may we pray for the grace and the courage to answer God’s unique call to artists with such generosity — to boast in His glory endlessly. If we remain centered on Him as our ultimate muse, then we will never be disappointed, especially when we face the eternal reward for having fulfilled all that He has asked of us.
Michaela Elise "Kiki" Fox has extensive experience in religious ministry, including co-founding a young artists' community in the Archdiocese of New York, called the Catholic Young Artists of the Hudson Valley. She is a published author, award-winning poet, has an original musical on track for production, and has performance credits around the world, having performed in musicals, contemporary plays, and Shakespeare in New York, Boston, New Hampshire, and Glasgow."