“Dinnertime on the Prairies” 1963 - by William Kurelek (1927 – 1977)
William Kurelek (1927-1977) was born in Alberta to Ukrainian parents and brought up on a dairy farm in Stonewall, Manitoba. He studied at the Ontario College of Art and in his mid-20’s travelled to England where he encountered the work of Pieter Bruegel, Hieronymous Bosch and Jan Van Eyck, all artists he admired and whose influence is easily seen in his paintings.
Kurelek’s life was marked by personal struggles, including, mental illness, an attempted suicide (1952-1955 in a psychiatric hospital) and a deep spiritual search that culminated in his conversion to Catholicism in 1957, after which, the sales of his work helped to fund missionary and various religious charities.
This painting was part of an exhibition entitles ‘Experiments in Didactic Art’, in which Kurelek wrote these words: This is an intuitive painting, I was wondering how to paint a western religious painting and suddenly this idea came to me, so it is open to interpretation. A meaning I put on it is that which crucifies Christ over and over can just as easily happen on a summer day on a Manitoba farm as anywhere else. The farmer and his son doing the fencing may have had an argument just before dinner or one of them may have enjoyed a lustful thought, or got an idea how to avenge himself on a neighbour etc.”
Lectio - Hebrews Chapter 9:24-28
Jerusalem Bible
24It is not as though Christ had entered a man-made sanctuary which was merely a model of the real one; he entered heaven itself, so that he now appears in the presence of God on our behalf. 25And he does not have to offer himself again and again, as the high priest goes into the sanctuary year after year with the blood that is not his own, 26or else he would have had to suffer over and over again since the world began. As it is, he has made his appearance once and for all, at the end of the last age, to do away with sin by sacrificing himself. 27 Since human beings die only once, after which comes judgement, 28 so Christ too, having offered himself only once to bear the sin of many, will manifest himself a second time, sin being no more, to those who are waiting for him, to bring them salvation.
New International Version
24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
New International Version
For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, so that he now appears in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it his purpose to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters into the sanctuary year after year with the blood that is not his own. 26 For then he would have had to suffer over and over again since the creation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once and for all at the end of the ages to abolish sin by sacrificing himself. 27 And just as human beings are destined to die but once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him.
MEDITATIO
Overview of Hebrews Chapter 9
Hebrews 9 contrasts the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries, and the temporary sacrificial rites with Christ's perfect, eternal sacrifice. The chapter begins by describing the earthly tabernacle's structure and regulations, emphasizing its limitations as a "worldly sanctuary." The author details how the high priest entered the Holy of Holies once yearly with blood sacrifices, highlighting how direct access to God remained restricted. The chapter then pivots to Christ's superior priesthood and sacrifice, explaining how He entered not a man-made sanctuary but heaven itself, offering not animal blood but His own, securing eternal redemption.
Hebrews 9:24-28
These verses represent the culmination of the author's argument about Christ's supreme sacrificial work:
1 Christ's Superior Sanctuary (v.24) The text emphasizes that Christ entered "heaven itself" rather than a human-made sanctuary. This reality transforms our understanding of divine access - we have a High Priest who ministers in the actual presence of God, not merely its symbolic representation. Today, this means our prayers and worship are directly presented before God's throne through Christ's mediation.
2 The Once-for-All Sacrifice (v.25-26) Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the high priest, Christ's sacrifice was singular and definitive. The phrase "once for all" emphasizes the complete sufficiency of His offering. This sacrifice occurred at "the consummation of the ages," marking the pivotal moment in salvation history where God's redemptive plan reached its climax. For contemporary believers, this means we can rest in the finished work of Christ, knowing no additional sacrifices are needed.
3 The Final Appearance (v.27-28) Drawing a parallel between human destiny (death and judgment) and Christ's work, these verses present a hopeful conclusion: Christ bore our sins in His first coming and will return "apart from sin" to bring final salvation. This creates a framework of hope and anticipation for believers today, offering assurance in present trials and confidence in future glory.
Unpacking Hebrews 9:24-28
Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross definitively settled humanity's sin debt before God, yet believers continue to wrestle with sin's presence in their daily lives.
This apparent paradox is resolved by understanding that through Christ's sacrifice, believers are immediately and permanently justified before God, their sins are fully atoned for and they are declared righteous. However, this legal reality coexists with an ongoing process of transformation. While sin's ultimate penalty has been paid and its power broken, we still live in fallen bodies in a broken world, experiencing a continuous tension between our new nature in Christ and our old nature prone to sin.
The Catholic understanding emphasizes that while Christ's sacrifice completely absolves the eternal consequences of sin (separation from God and eternal death), temporal consequences remain and must be addressed through penance, prayer, and good works.
Theologians call this the "already/not yet" dynamic of Christian life. We are already saved and justified, yet not yet fully transformed, already new creations in Christ, yet not yet perfected. This is why Christians must actively engage in the fight against sin while simultaneously resting in the assurance of Christ's completed work.
This is why, even after confession absolves sin, we may still need to make amends, repair damaged relationships, or suffer earthly consequences of our actions. The Church teaches that these temporal effects serve both justice and healing - helping restore the disorder sin creates in our lives and communities while contributing to our spiritual growth.[1]
ORATIO
Eternal Father, we stand in awe
before the magnificence of Your plan of salvation.
Through Your Son's perfect sacrifice,
You have opened heaven itself to us.
Thank You for replacing shadows with substance, temporary with eternal, and fear with hope.
Lord Jesus, we marvel at Your willingness
to appear once to bear our sins. Thank You
for now appearing before the Father on our behalf.
As we await Your second appearing,
strengthen our faith and deepen our hope.
Holy Spirit, help us live in the light of these truths.
May we approach the Father with confidence,
knowing Christ has secured our eternal redemption.
Guide us to share this hope with others
who still live in fear of death and judgment.
In Christ's name, Amen.
CONTEMPLATIO
Maintaining Eternal Perspective
Daily Reminders
Remember this world isn't your final home
View challenges through the lens of eternity
Live in light of Christ's return
Practical Steps
Start each day considering eternal values
Make decisions with kingdom priorities
Invest in what lasts forever
Daily Reflection Questions
1. How has Christ's redemption freed me today?
2. Where did I experience God's grace?
3. How did I extend that grace to others?
4. What area of growth am I seeing?
5. Where do I need to rest more fully in Christ's completed work?
Simple Daily Practices
1. Morning: Affirm your identity in Christ
2. Midday: Practice presence with God
3. Evening: Review the day's grace moments
4. Bedtime: Rest in complete acceptance
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