Ikoon-Gebede 'n ander perspektief

Worstel jy ook nog met die ikoon-gebede? Hier is 'n gedagte oor ikoon-gebede vanaf die Taize gemeenskap. Jy kan dit lees op hul webwerf by http://www.taize.fr/en_article340.html 

In die lig van die onderstaande woorde, veral die aanhaling van Saint John Damascene, kom lê daar 'n rustigheid in my. Die ikoon as venster op die koninkryk. Die ikoon as simbole van die inkarnasie. Die ikoon as visuele geheue hulp. Die ikoon as 'n singtuiglike padvinder tussen al die spookasem(candy floss) wat ons oorgestimuleerde (lees oorweldigde) gees oorweldig en smoor. Langs hierdie ikoon-roete reis ek makliker want op hierdie manier word verskeie prentjies vir my ikone. Ek gaan deur my skatkis blaai en soek na nuwe ikone...die prentjie hier is een wat ek sommer dadelik aan dink: Dit is 'n foto wat ek grafies ontwerp het "Die kind is nie dood nie" en dit help my bid vir Afrika.

 

Natuurlik sal ek nie wil hê dat die ikone net by terloopse visuele wekkers moet vashaak nie. Steeds wil ek in 'n eenkant hoekie deur die dieptes van sekere ortodokse ikone worstel, my album word nou net 'n bietjie breër. Mag jy ook nuwe vensters en nuwe simbole sien en mag dit die hart van jou bewus-wees-van-God maseer.

Icons contribute to the beauty of worship. They are like windows open on the realities of the Kingdom of God, making them present in our prayer on earth.

Although icons are images, they are not simply illustrations or decorations. They are symbols of the incarnation, a presence which offers to the eyes the spiritual message that the Word addresses to the ears.

According to the eighth-century theologian Saint John Damascene, icons are based on the coming of Christ to earth. Our salvation is linked to the incarnation of the divine Word, and therefore to matter: “In the past, the incorporeal and invisible God was never represented. But now that God has been manifested in the flesh and has dwelt among men, I represent the visible in God. I do not adore matter; I adore the creator of matter, who has become matter for my sake, who chose to dwell within matter and who, through matter, has caused my salvation” (Discourse I,16).

By the faith it expresses, by its beauty and its depth, an icon can create a space of peace and sustain an expectant waiting. It invites us to welcome salvation even in the flesh and in creation.