{Rev. Kittredge Cherry, Jesus In Love}
Jesus is a contemporary gay man in “The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision,” a series of 24 paintings by gay artist Douglas Blanchard with text by lesbian author Kittredge Cherry.
The images show Jesus jeered by fundamentalists, tortured by Marine look-alikes and rising again to enjoy homoerotic moments with God and friends. He faces forms of rejection that feel familiar to contemporary LGBT people. He stands up to priests, businessmen, lawyers, and soldiers—all of whom look eerily similar to the people holding those jobs today.
The paintings make Christ more accessible to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and our allies. Christ’s story is for everyone, but queer people often feel left out because conservatives use Christian rhetoric to justify hate and discrimination.
For example, “The Last Supper” (above) appears with this text:
“This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” -- Luke 22:19 (RSV)
Jesus’ friends didn’t know it would be their last meal with him, even though he tried to prepare them. All his closest friends were there, including the man whom Jesus loved. Jesus snuggled his Beloved and talked about love, and then about betrayal, and then a lot more about love. Jesus said he was going away and urged them all to love each other as he had loved them. The greatest love, he told them, is to lay down your life for your friends. He handed bread to them and said something strange: Take, eat; this is my body. Then he passed around a cup of wine, saying, Drink, all of you, this is my blood. He gave and they received completely, an act of true communion. The wine tasted sweet, with a touch of bitterness.
Jesus, thank you for feeding me!
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“The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision” is running in daily installments at the Jesus in Love Blog on LGBT spirituality and the arts. Image credit: “The Last Supper” by Douglas Blanchard.
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