Beauty captures the soul for God

“Real beauty captures the soul for God,” said John Paul II. In Glimpses of the Divine: The Art & Inspiration of Sieger Köder by Gemma Simmonds, two artists combine their gifts for image and word to create a masterpiece to nourish the soul.

The book is published by Pauline Books & Media as a prayer resource for Lent 2010 and is available in all Christian book shops.

Glimpses of the Divine contains 16 colourful and highly-evocative images of the Bible painted by Köder. The Struggle, Holy Ground, All Are Welcome, Faithful Women, Our Hearts Burn are some of the images in the series. Through poetic language and profound insights Simmonds provides helpful ways for engagement with the pictures.

“Her words are never too complex nor too simplistic, revealing a deep awareness of the ways of God and people, Scripture and the Christian tradition,” says spiritual director Nick Helm.

“The themes covered by the series address the major aspects of the journey of faith which is an excellent resource for people and groups exploring their life of faith and spiritual development.”

Author Daniel O'Leary writes, “Glimpses of the Divine is a tender and beautiful epiphany of the closeness of our incarnate God, bringing healing and joy to you and those around you. Read it, ponder it, believe it - your life will be profoundly enriched.”

Sieger Köder is a German priest who uses painting as Jesus used parables. He reveals the depth of the Christian message through metaphors. Köder dips his brush into the very essence of Scripture and with colour describes the wholeness of human life. The Good News is vibrantly expressed in a contemporary rendering: powerful yet easily accessible for individual and group meditation.

Gemma Simmonds is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus. She lectures in pastoral theology and spirituality at Heythrop College, University of London. She has a background in teaching, university and prison chaplaincy and spiritual direction. She has written other meditation booklets on the art of Sieger Köder entitled: A Time to Celebrate - The Invitation, The Promise and The Closeness of God.

Glimpses of the Divine ISBN 9781904785422 is priced at £6.99 and is available at Pauline Books & Media Centres, www.pauline-uk.org and all Christian bookshops.