Night Reception (Elijah’s Raven) by Michelle L Hofer – 8” x 10”, mixed media on paper, 2018

There are many beautiful representations in Christian icon imagery depicting the story of the prophet Elijah having been fed by ravens while hiding in the desert. Elijah raises his hand in anticipation of receiving the bread (a disk reminiscent of a communion wafer) brought by the raven.

I have been exploring placing Elijah’s hand directly in the path of the raven’s extended wing — the feathers have separated and bear resemblance to knife blades. This stands as a symbol of vulnerability and the potential to be wounded as we extend ourselves into the world and towards others.

Woundedness is naturally something we seek to avoid, and yet ironically it has the potential to serve as a catalyst for tremendous personal growth and maturity — a hidden gift we can receive from the Divine. Now, the disk of bread brought by the raven becomes the representation of that gift now possible in the midst of all that we receive as struggle and suffering.