Down to the River

This artwork is called “Down to the River”. It holds a special place in my heart.

It blossomed from my prayer and reflection of Psalm 1. It is also inspired by an old Christian folk hymn, “Down to the River to Pray”.

¹Happy are those
    who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
    or sit in the seat of scoffers;
² but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law they meditate day and night.
³ They are like trees
    planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
    and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

— Psalm 1:1-3

In 2022, I decided to take the 18th annotation retreat, or the First Spiritual Exercises, of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

One of the reasons I decided to attend the retreat was because of my desire to remain rooted in Christ. Down to the River is my effort to capture what I imagined during my prayer time and what it would look like to remain rooted in Him.

In the artwork, light shines on the tree. It is rooted on the rock and the earth beneath the river. Its flowers are in full bloom. Christ lays his hand on its trunk giving it a gentle and warm touch.

The light comes from the east as Christ did. He is the rock that holds the tree together. He is the living water flowing through the river. He is the true vine bringing life to the tree. He lays his hand on the tree giving it his grace, his mercy, and his forgiveness. Through Him, the tree is able to bear fruit and blossom.

I hope and I pray to be like the tree.