by phillipmedhurst
Phillip Medhurst presents 255/392 the James Tissot Jesus c 1896 My Soul is Sorrowful unto Death Mark 14:34. By (James) Jacques-Joseph Tissot, French, 1836-1902. Opaque watercolour over graphite on paper. 25.1 x 17.5 cms. Brooklyn Museum New York.
Phillip Medhurst 
“What is the destiny of man, but
to fill up the measure of his sufferings, and to drink his allotted
cup of bitterness? And if that same cup proved bitter to the God
of heaven, under a human form, why should I affect a foolish pride,
and call it sweet? Why should I be ashamed of shrinking at that
fearful moment, when my whole being will tremble between existence
and annihilation, when a remembrance of the past, like a flash of
lightning, will illuminate the dark gulf of futurity, when everything
shall dissolve around me, and the whole world vanish away? Is not
this the voice of a creature oppressed beyond all resource,
self-deficient, about to plunge into inevitable destruction, and
groaning deeply at its inadequate strength, “My God! my God! why
hast thou forsaken me?” And should I feel ashamed to utter the
same expression? Should I not shudder at a prospect which had its
fears, even for him who folds up the heavens like a garment?”
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