'Homeless Jesus' Sculpture Is Far More Effective At Encouraging Compassion Than Any Sunday Sermon

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/12/homeless-jesus-sculpture_n_4949430.html

Religion News Service | by Ken Garfield
Posted: 03/12/2014 11:44 am EDT Updated: 03/12/2014 11:59 am EDT


Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz notes the ironies in his latest creation, “Jesus the Homeless,” a bronze sculpture depicting the Christian savior huddled beneath a blanket on an actual-size park bench. Only the feet are visible, and their gaping nail wounds reveal the subject. | Timothy Schmalz / RNS

DAVIDSON, N.C. (RNS) In a small college town 20 miles north of Charlotte, N.C., “Homeless Jesus” is provoking more conversation than a month of Sunday sermons.

The life-size sculpture depicting a figure asleep under a blanket on a park bench lies outside St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. The nail-scarred feet peeking out from under the blanket are the only indication that Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz is making a religious statement about Jesus.

The hollow, bronze piece bolted to the park bench is a $22,000 gift from a church member intended to support public art.

That’s a small price to pay to get people thinking about what it means to be a Christian — and what it means for “Homeless Jesus” to take up residence in a community of 270 townhomes and single-family homes, said the Rev. David Buck, the rector of St. Alban’s.

more at link

[justhanginon]

1. A powerful piece.

Such a shame that Mr. "upscale community" Jerry Dawson has to have his obviously tender sensibilities offended. Perhaps if he would give a some thought to what the statue represents it just might help him become a better more compassionate person.
Out of sight, out of mind only contributes to having no solutions proffered for the plight of the homeless in this rich country.

[cbayer]

3. Agree about Dawson. The quote from his is really horrible.

I like it as well and hope it remains.

[sheshe2]

2. Sadly , this person has no idea what it means to be a Christian.

“My complaint is not about the art-worthiness or the meaning behind the sculpture. It is about people driving into our beautiful, reasonably upscale neighborhood and seeing an ugly homeless person sleeping on a park bench.”

Thank you cbayer, I find the statue moving.

[cbayer]

4. I like that there is room for someone to sit.

I could see it being a profound place to be at times.

[sheshe2]

5. Yes,

I think everyone should sit in that spot and do some soul searching.

Thank you so much for posting this OP.

[hrmjustin]

6. Moving statue. Thanks for posting.

[bunnies]

7. As a non-Christian...

I think the sculpture is genius. I can see how it should send a very powerful message. Plus... it looks amazing. Love it.

[cbayer]

8. It's really moving and even more so for being in this particular neighborhood.

This sounds like a good church, the kind we need more of.

[bunnies]

9. I couldnt agree more.

I wonder what the hard right anti-"takers" crowd would think about their blaring hypocrisy being so masterfully placed in front of their faces.

Well OF COURSE they'd help Jesus. Just not that other "lazy" sob on the corner. Ugh.

[cbayer]

10. I don't know if you caught this lovely comment from someone in the neighborhood:

"My complaint is not about the art-worthiness or the meaning behind the sculpture. It is about people driving into our beautiful, reasonably upscale neighborhood and seeing an ugly homeless person sleeping on a park bench.”

[bunnies]

11. *sigh*

an "ugly homeless person"?!

[cbayer]

12. Jesus wept.

[bunnies]

13. And who could blame him.

[okasha]

14. A beautiful and moving artwork.

We don't know what Jesus looked like--probably about average, with hair-colored hair and eye-colored eyes--but we do know he was homeless: Foxes, he said, have their dens and birds their nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.

I wonder what the neighbor would make of a wandering rabbi and his rather disreputable followers in his "beautiful upscale neighborhood."

[okasha]

15. I recommend going to the huffpo site.

It not only has further text but a video of the artist working on the clay model from which the casting mold was made.

[cbayer]

16. I can't stream but will put it on my list of things to watch

when I can.

I would like to see the sculpture itself and may put it on my upcoming road trip itinerary.