The Vatican Museum

     The Vatican Museum was a special place to visit because it isn't an ordinary museum.  It is described as a collection of collections.  A museum that does not only represent the past but reflects on the future as well.  The Vatican Museum was created by Pope Julius the Second in order to educate people about the Catholic faith as opposed to being a tourist hot spot.  It's main purpose is to showcase the unity between faith and human reason.

     A painting that struck me as being very unique was Raphael's "Transfiguration".  Raphael's large painting hung at the center of a large room where people could crowd around and study the grand image.  The painting shows Jesus coming down from the sky highlighted with bright colors, below him a crowd of people amazed at his appearance.  The painting was created to emphasize a glimpse of hope for what's to come, for God's great plan.  This painting was associated with death in early Christian art. Two men are floating in the sky at both of Jesus' sides.  They are the prophets Elijiah and Moses.  Moses represents the law while Elijiah represents the prophets, the meaning of their presence is that Jesus incorporates the law and the prophets in his life, works, and message.  An interesting point in the painting is a young boy who is possessed and is pointing up at Jesus.  This figure shows that Jesus is his only hope in curing his own demons and that ultimately Jesus has power over evil.

     This painting embodies many of the key points that we've studied in Catholic theology.  The belief in Jesus as the son of God, the faith in Jesus to help us rid ourselves of sin and evil, and the promise of His return to Earth.