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      This is a photo of our hall prepared for our visitors!

Pope Francis has made a point of calling on society to focus on the needs of the poorest and most marginalised and his words remind us that a society without love is not a society at all. The foundation of all we do, whether inspired by faith or human concern, must be based on the human desire to love each other. This builds a culture of life, respecting men and women as they are and through the transforming power of love, changes lives.

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This image provides the starkness between reality and divinity. The observer views the contours of what seems to be a body wrapped in a shroud. The sullen cloth covers the head but not the feet, the shroud, is a core signifier. There is a duplicity in the sculptured figure. Is this person, sleeping or dead? The winding sheet or grave clothes, provide the impression and remnants of a life once lived. Each fold a reminder of the crease and tucks of this world. The imperfections of humanity. However, there is hope… The feet expose the stigmata, the prime indication of one of Jesus’ holy wounds and this provides a deeper spiritual bound explanation…

The bench in some ways becomes the tomb of Jesus, as it presents a place where it is believed that Jesus was temporarily’ entombed. This sense of temporality echoes homelessness; the moving between temporary shelters, temporary solace and sanctuary. Nonetheless, what appears as an untimely death of a homeless person, is not the end. The stigmata represents eternity and salvation – a clear message “eventually we shall all be in eternity”: For those who suffer the indignities of homelessness and it’s depravity will eventually have everlasting life. The Beatitudes testify this point.

In contrast, the sculpture also speaks to those who “have”, the wealthy, the comfortable, and even the relatively poor. It symbolises the opportunity for charity and for self-reflection. The horizontal position depicts a sense of desolation, isolation and helplessness. It is a homage to vulnerability. Hence the motif stipulates that we are accountable, we are all obliged. The image can perhaps be perceived as an effigy communicating the words of our Lord Jesus. It was Jesus, who states that we are one body in Christ. Notice no two folds in this  sculptured garment are alike. However, the differences are unified. In this sense, everyone, rich, poor, every colour or creed, every age has a legitimate role to play in that body.

Thus, ultimately, the sculpture depicts that we must help each other grow together into the body Christ envisioned, from the beginning of time. Homeless Jesus must continue to reign in our hearts and mind. Divinity is reality.

Written by a St Antony Parishioner

The Homeless Jesus can be seen at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, London