THY WILL BE DONE

2023

Air Dry Clay

on cypress wood base

450(W) x 290(D) x 420(H) mm

The sculpture attempts to capture the culmination of Jesus’s agony in the Garden when He accepts the chalice of the New Covenant from His Father through “obedient unto death” (CCC614)

Jesus experienced great psychological distress and human fear as he was fully aware of what’s is to come. The struggle of two different wills, human and divine, reflects the two natures of Christ with His prayers in the garden. The sculpture depicts Jesus in a posture of surrendering his human will to the divine will in perfect unity, out of love and trust in God His Father as he prays “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) and “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” (Matthew 26:42) The gaze of Jesus is depicted in a loving and peaceful acceptance of the chalice of suffering in his impending passion on Good Friday.

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him (Luke 22:43). Making reference to the cherubims on top of the Ark of Covenant in the Old Testament, the angel is depicted as descending down, delivering the chalice and in a kneeling position with the wings spread upwards, overshadowing to comfort Jesus. The angel’s head bow in great reverence and awe, with the elevation of the chalice, recalling Jesus offering of himself at the last supper, the chalice holding the blood of the new and eternal covenant.

The sculpture invites us to reflect on our personal response in life to God’s will. In our struggles and discernment in our daily life, following human or divine will, we are assured that we always have our guardian angel to help us in accepting the divine will.