Happy Feast of St. Gabriel, an icon of love so intense it could be mistaken for ferocity…

The Annunciation, Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Verrocchio, ARSH 1472-1475, Uffizi Gallery, Florence

The Annunciation, Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Verrocchio, ARSH 1472-1475, Uffizi Gallery, Florence

I have long loved Da Vinci’s Annunciation and must admit that I was quite struck by the Archangel Gabriel.  I have spoken before about the notion of “Ferocious Love”.  This comes from C.S. Lewis in Perelandra:

“Pure, spiritual, intellectual love shot from their faces like barbed lightning. It was so unlike the love we experience that its expression could easily be mistaken for ferocity.”

As I zoomed in and looked closer at Gabriel’s countenance, I saw exactly that – “ferocious” love.  He is kneeling, bowing, honoring and blessing her – Gabriel loves Our Lady.  But look – LOOK at his face.  Look at his eyes.  Oh my.

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Man, that’s what I want to be when I grow up. That’s what I’m gunning for, right there.

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St. Gabriel, pray for us!

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