J.M.J. Today is the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. What incredible dignity that Jesus possessed and authentic manliness that He portrayed as He strode into and out of the waters of the Jordan River.
Thank You, God, for our own Baptism. You have made us Your sons and daughters! We owe everything to You in return.
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I found a fascinating explanation of why Our Lady is often depicted in blue. This comes from "Mary (Mother of Jesus)" at Wikipedia, under the subheading "Depiction within Renaissance Art."
"In paintings, Mary is traditionally portrayed in blue. This tradition
can trace its origin to the Byzantine Empire, from c.500 AD, where blue
was 'the color of an empress'. A more practical explanation for the use
of this color is that in Medieval and Renaissance Europe, the blue
pigment was derived from the rock lapis lazuli,
a stone imported from Afghanistan of greater value than gold. Beyond a
painter's retainer, patrons were expected to purchase any gold or lapis
lazuli to be used in the painting. Hence, it was an expression of
devotion and glorification to swathe the Virgin in gowns of blue."
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