Photography
Originally scheduled for June 28
With the advent of the digital photograph, the practice of
photography has become quite a bit more ordinary. We seem to be
willing to pull out our smart phones on the least of occasions and
take several pictures. But like most of the things we do,
photography is done with the purpose. Let’s take a look at three
such purposes.
Transition
We like to photograph certain occasions such as weddings and
graduations. One of the reasons for this is that these occasions
mark a transition in human lives. There’s a very good example of
this from World War II:
The occasion is a very memorable one: the transition from war to
peace on V-J Day, the end of World War II. Unlike most pictures of
transitions, this one is most notable for the sheer exuberance shown
— at least on the part of the sailor. It captures the emotions of
the moment.
Communion likewise is a marker of transition. It is a mark of the
transition from the law of the Old Testament to the grace of the New
Testament. For us each personally, it is a marker of our transition
from the death of this world to the life eternal. As for our sailor,
it is a cause for joy.
Reminder
Some photographs are meant to remind us of a particular person.
Often enough we cherish the photographs of those who are deceased
but were precious to us in life. Here’s a good example from World
War II:
There are hundreds of portraits of Winston Churchill. This is the
most remembered one. Why? Because it captures the bulldog spirit of
the man who led Great Britain out of its darkest hour, or as he
himself put it, “their finest hour.” He did that with unshakable
will to victory, wielding the English language as his bright, sharp
sword. The picture captures his likeness, but more than that it
captures his spirit. Communion does that for us in portraying
Christ. He loved us so much that he gave his life that we might be
free from the curse of sin. It is our picture of his love.
Inspiration
Perhaps the highest purpose of the photograph would be to inspire
the viewer to action. The photograph which prompts you to “go and do
likewise” is a powerful one indeed. Here is an example from World
War II:
The photograph was taken during the battle for Iwo Jima. Its power
of inspiration was shown in a similar photograph taken of the New
York Fire Department, raising the flag over the rubble of the World
Trade Center after 9/11. Both photos stir the hearts of patriots.
The firefighters most certainly did “go and do likewise.”
Communion serves the same purposes as these photographs. It marks
the transition from law to grace, and from death to life. It reminds
us of the one who made that transition possible; it is our picture
of his body and blood. It is an inspiration to go and love as Christ
has loved us. As you partake this morning, remember from where you
came in the transition to where you are now. Remember the Lord who
made that transition possible, and let him be your inspiration for
greater acts of love.
