The Magi and...Banksy?!

 

A new artwork — suspected to be by Banksy — is seen near the Centre Point building in London. The renowned street artist shared a post on Instagram on Monday indicating authorship of an identical work that appeared in another part of the city. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

O Lord, our Sovereign,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens. 
    Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
    to silence the enemy and the avenger. 

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars that you have established;
 what are humans that you are mindful of them,
    mortals that you care for them?

Psalm 8:1-4 NRSVue

You may be aware of the creations of Banksy, once a street artist who began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England. He didn't use his own name to avoid prosecution for vandalism and his work often provides critical commentary on British government policy regarding migration and war. He has become one of the world's best-known artists and his paintings and installations sell for millions of dollars at auction. Some of them have been stolen and at least one painted over because of its criticism of the British judiciary..

This latest artwork doesn't seem to carry an overt political message, although it may be a poignant reminder that our night skies, source of wonder about the vastness of the universe, are seldom visible anymore because of the light pollution from buildings such as the one in the background. I like that the two figures, one of whom may be a child, are dressed for winter. 

                                                        Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

You may have noticed that there is a growing number of Dark Sky Preserves in Canada and other countries, a recognition that we need places where we can contemplate our insignificance in the bigger scheme of Creation, to consider the vastness and glory of space, as Psalm 8 invites us to do. Instead of despots posturing about military space forces or billionaires in "my rocket's bigger than yours" competitions we humbly delight in the heavens. 

I wrote in another blog from 2024 about setting my alarm for 2AM while staying on a remote island off Newfoundland so that I would stir myself to check for the Perseid meteor shower. I stumbled outside to see meteors, the Milky Way, and the Aurora Borealis. For me it was a religious experience. 

Soon liturgical churches will recognize the Magi, astronomers and astrologers who followed a celestial body in search of the Messiah. Perhaps Banksy is inviting us to be magi, searchers, in whatever manner we may choose.