The House of Love

Icon: “The Holy Trinity” — written by Rublev

This weekend as I picked up my consecrated communion bread from the church fellowship hall, saddened to not physically worship together, my mind has kept coming to this icon of the Holy Trinity, painted by the Russian artist Andrew Rublev.  

This icon depicts a scene from Genesis 18 where three mysterious, angelic figures visit Abraham and Sarah at the Oaks of Mamre.  The three figures represent the Trinity—the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit—the figures themselves aren’t images of the persons of the Godhead, but their features and orientation toward each other are a symbolic representation of the relationship between them.

The composition of the painting creates a circle of movement between the three figures, with Christ in the center. Looking closely, you notice an opening into this circle, which leads your eyes to the altar table.  This inward movement is an invitation to come to the table, and to be present in communion with the Holy Trinity. In other words, are invited into the fellowship of God. Henri Nouwen refers to this painting as ‘the house of love’—showing us a circle of love that is always on offer, and that is never to be broken by the powers of this world.

Thinking of that offer, I am reminded of Jesus’ words, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine...” –John 15:4.

I have read that the Greek word here for ‘remain’ means “to take up permanent residence”.  In this verse, then, Jesus is telling his followers to take up permanent residence in Him—not just occasionally, but as a branch connected to its very life source.  This is how I understand the invitation to come to the table in fellowship with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, in the ‘house of love’ that the icon depicts.  

As we find ourselves physically separated from each other in the coming days, may we be reminded that we are never apart from the presence of Christ, living in our hearts.  May we be reminded that we are united in the Spirit, and that the invitation to dwell in the house of love is ever before us.