Here is an artist, Jusepe de Ribera, whose work captivated.

Holy Family

Trinity

Mater Dolorosa

Madonna with the Christ Child and St Bruno (Carthusians)

To such persons the memory must still be clear of the first approach of the temptation that was later to take so firm a hold upon them, of the recoil of the mind from it, with terror and repulsion, and yet with a kind of horrible fascination.  It came again and again and stood at the door of the soul, awaiting its admission with a kind of insolent assurance that if it waited long enough, it would have its way.  By degrees, the mind was seized with a kind of tremulous excitement at its approach and bid it begone in tones of less confidence.  It gradually became habituated to its presence outside the soul, feeling its influence, although never yet allowed liberally to cross the threshold.  Then it seemed to gain a certain strange influence over the various faculties, exciting an unaccountable curiosity and forcing them, as it were, to look at it, if only so that they might realize how hateful it was.  At last it pushed open the door in a moment when conscience was off its guard and entered, and in an instant demoralized the whole household of the soul, loosened the passions, won over the imagination, and hypnotized  the will.  And although it was driven out and the doors barred against it, in that moment of its entry, it had made allies for itself, and now the passions and the imagination would loosen the bolts and the will itself would open the door for it.  So it entered without let or hindrance, with an ever-weakening protest from conscience, until at last it gained possession, presided in the council chamber of the soul, cowed and silenced reason, and took the reins of government into its own hands.  –Father Basil W. Maturin “Christian Self-Mastery: How to Govern Your Thoughts, Discipline You Will, and Achieve Balance in Your Spiritual Life”

When David’s life by Saul was often sought,
And worlds of woe did compass him about,
On dire revenge, he never had a thought,
But in his griefs, Hope still did help him out.

When the poor cripple by the pool did lie,
For many years in misery and pain,
No sooner he on Christ had set his eyes,
But he was well, and comfort came again,
No David, Job, nor cripple, in more grief,’
Christ give me patience, and my Hopes relief.

And here is one to think about, enjoy and reflect upon, worldly and moving.

Now be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains!  You too must be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon.  Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates.  For your example, brothers, in patiently putting up with persecution, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name…  –2 James 5:7-10

We enjoyed another performance by Mignarda, the Cleveland classical duo—singer and lute player, once again accompanied by a friend on cello and violin.  The theme of darkness (light) and melancholy was explored in the compositions of John Downland, a subject I found fascinating.  This particular song coalesced nicely with the second scriptural reading from today’s Mass.

Thou mightie God, that rightest every wrong,
Listen to patience in a dying song.
When Job had lost his Children, Lands, and goods,
Patience asswaged his excessive paine,
And when his sorrowes came as fast as flouds,
hope kept his hart, till comfort came againe.