From the General Presbyter

My daughter and I visited a temple in Kerala, India devoted to Shiva, the third god of the Hindu trinity. I noticed two things about this experience. First, Shiva got a 21st century makeover as you can see in these pictures! The second thing I noticed was that the inside of the temple was packed with devotees, lighting candles and chanting.

I had flashbacks to when modern art created many different images of Jesus, many contextual or reflecting the artists race and or culture. Needless to say, that caused quite a stir in some communities who were used to the sandy haired Jesus in the white robe. I wonder if it was the same with this image of Shiva. I have to say, I was impressed, not only by the size of the statue but how the sculptor boldly proclaimed this modernization. Young people flocked to the outer section to take pictures and just be in the mix.

Inside, there were so many devotees that I pressed myself against the wall as to not interfere with their worship. Upon departing, there were people still trying to get in the door from the outside; a multigenerational crowd chanting and praying before they reached the entrance.

This experience left me with two questions. One, does our depiction of Jesus in word, art and deed resonate with today’s potential worshippers? And two, can we still “pack the house?”

Namaste,

– Jackie