Word and Art with Bishop Dolan - After the First Communion

On this 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Bishop John Dolan reflects on a beautiful painting by a late 19th century Norwegian artist, Carl Frithjof Smith, called “After the First Communion,” in this week’s episode of Word and Art, in which he connects a Sunday reading with a famous work of art.

The theme of this Sunday’s Gospel and first reading is the invitation to a banquet, ultimately pointing us toward the Eucharistic feast. Bishop John calls to mind our own first experiences of receiving the Eucharist and reflects on the young girl in the painting who, after receiving her first Communion, is inviting the viewer into the mystery she now celebrates. We, too, are invited to the banquet of the Lord and, having received the Eucharist, are called to go out into the world and invite all whom we know to join us at the feast.

Bishop John brings an exciting and insightful perspective to the series as he earned a Master of Arts degree in Liturgy/Church Art and Architecture from St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, Calif.