Day Eleven: The cat

  

Settled on a window ledge high above the people below, a cat surveys the scene. Of course, every farmyard would have had a cat or two in it, to keep down the mice and rats, so it’s no surprise to find one here. Ancient writers assumed there would be cats in the stable where Jesus was born too.

One old legend told of one of them, who spotted a snake – a symbol of evil that recalled the serpent in the Garden of Eden - slithering towards the cradle where Jesus lay and killed it, saving his life. (I told a version of this legend in a Christmas Day story, Old Tom, which you can read on the church blog, or listen to on the church Youtube channel.)

Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna del Gatto – Madonna with a cat – is one of a number of pictures capturing the scene too, though the cat doesn’t look too pleased about it.

 

Brueghel’s cat, typically feline, keeps him or herself at a distance, but nonetheless is aware of all that is going on below. The cat reminds me of those moments in life when we feel we need to keep ourselves at arm’s length from our faith, when we feel wary of commitment, but know that we can’t ignore or walk away from it. Is this cat going to creep closer, or run away?

 

 

For Reflection

Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.                            Joel 2:13

 

Have you ever felt cautious about your faith, wondering whether to commit yourself or not? What kept you at a distance?

The whole picture:

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jan-brueghel-the-elder-the-adoration-of-the-kings