Traditionally, an icon is a visual communication of the Divine Presence, in a restricted symbolic language. An icon painter would "write" an icon in delineated visual terms, which allowed no room for the personal expression of the individual artist. This image of the Living Christ is a contemporary oil painting, based on the traditions and methods of icon painting, but expressed through the individualized nature of modem western art, so it may speak clearly to the members of the modem society for which it is created. It could be called a new branch on the ancient tree of sacred art.

This is a visualization of the Mission Statement of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church of Richardson, Texas. It is an invitation to its parishioners to fulfill these living attributes to which Christ calls us all. The Living Christ Icon is not a reflection of the naturalistic world. It is a symbolic embodiment of the Truth descended into humanity, the incarnation of Spirit in the guise of matter to lead us within. This sacred symbol offers to lead the worshipper toward deeper spiritual truths, and the divine principles of the ineffable reality of the universe, made accessible to our earthly senses.

Christ gazes intently at us, and into eternity, yet directly asks for deep personal engagement as we return his intimate gaze. Christ is not looking at our everyday self, but into our eternal selves "... the deeper soul self of eternity in each individual, which came from and will return to the eternal existence... ". (Temple, 95) In the profound silent presence of His living truth, He calls us each into active relationship.

Historical time and physical space are irrelevant to the psychic/cosmic sacred realm this image portrays. The familiar structures of St. Joseph's Catholic Church are symbolic representations of their earthly appearance. They become the transfigured essence of the Church itself, standing for the living members in whom the spiritual events must take place, to manifest God's higher truths on the material plane.

There is no external light source, no sun casts shadows in this sacred realm deep beyond sensory perception. Here is the higher light of the Spirit, emanating from within the Christ himself. His encircling mandorla of divine energy illuminates all who will turn within to the subtle sacred source. Acting on Christ's open-handed invitation to live these avowed principles, we move toward the ideal of humanity's place in the universe, living our most sacred work of the Living Christ.