The Heavenly & Earthly Trinities

This painting, by Bartolome Estaban Murillo (1617-1682), is something to contemplate as you pray today.

Desmond Scotchmer describes the painting this way:

At the top of the painting is a representation of God the Father, adored by the heavenly host, and below him, the Holy Spirit. The Christ Child, both human and divine, stands in the centre of the painting, his face shining with heavenly glory, even as he stands revealed in the full weakness of a mortal child. He is elevated on a stone that is an altar: it is also both the stone which the builders rejected, and which is become the head in the corner (Matt 21:42), and the “stumbling block and rock of offence: and whoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (Romans 9:33, and 1 Peter 2:4-8). The tenderness of Christ’s earthly parents is matched by their recognition of his Lordship, as evidenced by his elevation above them, and the gestures of their hands. St Joseph gazes steadfastly at the viewer, inviting all who behold to come and adore; the eye of the viewer is drawn up in a zigzag motion from his left hand through the figure of the Christ Child, and up towards the Father. His gaze also carries a reproach full of sadness that the time will come when the world will reject and condemn the Lord of Life, who stands before them as an innocent child.

-Desmond Scotchmer in the Trinity edition of the PBSC Newletter which can be downloaded here (note this is a PDF file).

The painting, and this image of it, are from the National Gallery, London.