“L’Innocence” (Innocence) is a late 18th century masterpiece painted by the French artist William Bouguereau. It shows our Holy Lady holding, with deep affection, baby Jesus and a little lamb, both symbols of innocence.
We can admire the beauty, pure love of the Blessed Virgin for her Son. In the same way, the tenderness of Mary provides serenity and peace to the beholder. How magnificent and human is her motherhood!
Furthermore, if we silently contemplate this stunning portrait, after reading the next bible verses, a deeper message may be revealed:
John The Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God”
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”(John 1:19)
The sacrifice of lambs for the sins was a sacred Jewish tradition
“Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day regularly. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight (…) It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there” (Exodus 29:38-42)
The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Jesus, the lamb led to the slaughter, whose sacrifice would redeem to Israel
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7)
The depper message…
We realize that our Blessed Mother is not only embracing the sleeping baby Jesus, but also his passion and future sacrifice. That’s why the image remains with us Mary praying at the foot of the Cross as a witness of the great sacrifice of the Immaculate Lamb.
A phrase of Blessed Amadeus shows us the greatness of the love:
“Mary suffered much more in the Passion of her Son than she would have done if she herself had endured it; for she loved her Jesus much more than she loved herself”
Let us grow in the love to our Lady!
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