Third Reflection on the Panel of the Annunciation in St Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina

In thee, O Lord, do I seek refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in thy righteousness deliver me!
Incline thy ear to me, rescue me speedily!
Be thou a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!

Yea, thou art my rock and my fortress;
for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me;
take me out of the net which is hidden for me,
for thou art my refuge.
Into thy hand I commit my spirit;
thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

Psalm 31:1–5

We continue our contemplation of the panel of the Annunciation found in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mdina. This work by Domenico Bruschi was placed in its current position in March 1886 to replace another painting of the same subject, produced by Preti’s bottega and which is now housed in the Cathedral Museum. In this panel Bruschi makes use of very vivid colours. Mary is portrayed in her typical hues: red and blue. Her purity is further emphasised by the lily beside her (almost as though it were her companion) and by the piece of white cloth draped from her lap.

One should note the position of Mary’s hands. In many of the representations of this scene found in Malta, Our Lady has at least one hand resting upon her breast (perhaps to express, artistically, her questioning in the face of the announcement). By contrast, in this panel her hands are open and seem to fall gently downward as a sign of total surrender to the will of God who saves humanity through humanity itself— the availability of the handmaid before her Lord. It is this readiness of hers that allows God to bring forth fruit from her purity.

Purity, in the Christian perspective, is not merely something negative—a deprivation, an absence—but is also openness, a space which draws us out of our sterile isolation and allows for a more intimate encounter: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8).

How do you safeguard the purity of your own heart, so that it may be an open space for God?