Using laser beams, archeologists working in Rome recently uncovered what are believed to be the oldest surviving frescoes of the Apostles Peter, Andrew, John, and Paul. Dating from the 4th century these works of art are located in the catacombs of St. Tecla. They’ve known that there were frescoes there, but they were covered with a thick layer of centuries old calcium build-up. It took specialized lasers to remove the deposits, and what was underneath was truly amazing. Making All Things New.
I know they call it the Eternal City, but isn’t it amazing that archeologists and scientists are still discovering such things? These catacombs are located below an insurance building near the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. In an article I read about the find, they said that these images might have influenced all the other early depictions of these saints.
Once, when I was on tour in Rome, our guide said something that stuck with me. As we were standing in the Roman Forum, Gino made the comment that, when you visit such places, you come to realize that “what was once old suddenly becomes new.” Everything is constantly evolving, sometimes being used for the same purpose, other times for something completely different.
As I was praying this morning, I got to thinking about these images and what they might mean to me. I thought about the tedious process of removing all that calcium. I began thinking about what might be waiting to be re-discovered in my own life.
For many people today, certainly in these tough economic times, some of their most important and precious dreams have been covered up and buried. Maybe something immediately comes to your mind? If this is the case for you, maybe it’s time to uncover them and start the very important work of making all things new.
Throughout the summer, I want to keep refining our understanding of the theme of this blog, Making All Things New. I think there’s a lot to be uncovered in each of us, and what better way to spend our summer down time than reflecting upon how it might get played out in our lives. Have a great day:)
2 replies on “Making All Things New”
Like you said, we all need to dig down and discover what is just beneath the surface waiting to be scraped away to reveal something entirely new and beautiful! In the old days, artists composed their paintings right onto their canvasses and sometimes they would change their mind and “paint over” a section of the painting to re-create an entirely different perspective within the painting. Only with careful inspection or x-rays or infrareds could the original composition be illuminated and examined. Artists refer to this as “pentimento” from the Italian “pentirsi” which means “to repent”. Like artists, we sometimes need to change or “paint over” the original compositions which comprise our lives and create a more magnificent canvas!
Hey Colleen, thanks for sharing. I’m trying to decide if I like the word pentimento more than pentirsi. It rolls off the tongue easier. Just kidding. You’re right. There’s a lot of stuff brewing in all of us just underneath the surface.