EASTER BUTTERFLIES
According to Robert Wetzler and Helen Huntington (Seasons and Symbols), “the beautiful form [of the butterfly] coming from the seemingly lifeless chrysalis could hardly fail to suggest itself as a parallel to the Lord’s coming forth from the tomb.” Starting as an immobile egg, the process of metamorphosis successively engenders a crawling bizarrely- striped caterpillar, an entombed chrysalis–a casket with golden nails–and, finally, a gorgeous Monarch butterfly capable of kaleidoscopic flights that tint the sky with color- patches of wonder rivaling those in the Land of Oz. Graham Sutherland’s tapestry “Christ in Glory” hangs in Coventry Cathedral, which was rebuilt in 1962 after being destroyed by bombs in 1940. Christ is depicted encapsulated by a cocoon that has broken open to reveal the risen, ruling Lord. Joseph Jefferson’s poem “Immortality” is Easter-oriented. Two caterpillars are arguing about life after death. The debate ends without resolution as the caterpillars wrap themselves in winding sheets and are soon dead to the world. But soon…
To view this resource, log in or sign up for a subscription plan
