Sylvain Reynard's Blog, page 7

Dear Everyone,

I hope that you will join me in a chat this Saturday, April 1, at 9AM Eastern (New York). The All Things SR Podcasts hosts, Pam and Leslie, will be hosting the chat. I’m looking forward to discussing “The Art of Lent” by Sister Wendy Beckett and hearing about your favourite paintings.

You can join the chat It will not be live until 9AM sharp Saturday morning.

In the meantime, I welcome your reflections and comments on this week’s paintings. I’m struck by the beauty of and Sister Wendy’s reflections on the nature of joyful confidence. Truly, she sees things that I do not see. I really appreciate the depth of her understanding.

All the best and hope to chat with you on Saturday,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

As I continue reading by Sister Wendy Beckett, I’m struck by the range of works she’s including in her discussions.

I’ve never been moved by abstract art, but Sister Wendy found beauty in the abstract and has shared her insights with us. Take, for example, Rebecca Salter’s painting In this painting Sister Wendy sees what I do not – silence and the bliss of silence.

But as I take my time and study the painting, eventually I can glimpse what I think Sister Wendy is referring to. I have to be patient. I have to take my time. And I have to be open to the experience.

Part of my Lenten journey this year has been focused on developing patience, and finding silence, and engaging in contemplation. These are spiritual as well as mental disciplines. Sister Wendy has linked them to art appreciation and the enjoyment of beauty.

In her commentary on Sandro Botticelli’s (1489), Sister Wendy writes, “There is no lasting peace that does not rest upon a sense of life having meaning.” Again, she has seen something profound in this painting and tied it to a wider theme – the faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Finding silence, engaging in contemplation, and taking time for beauty are ways in which we can reflect on what gives our lives meaning. This is both profound and sacred, and it takes time.

I welcome your reflections on any of the artwork or readings below.

Peace be with you all,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

Congratulations to the cast and crew of as they wrap filming tomorrow. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. I’m really looking forward to viewing the final product.

Thanks especially to Ali, Denis, Margie, and the entire team, and to Mary Pocrnic for an excellent script .There could not have been a better partner than Passionflix. I am so glad we were able to work together. 

I owe a debt to Tosca Musk, Giulio Berruti, and Melanie Zanetti, for staying true to the books and for bringing the characters to life. Giulio and Melanie truly became Gabriel and Julia and were so kind to readers during set visits and premieres. Truly, this entire project has been blessed and I have been blessed through it.

Finally, thank you to the readers for your support of my writing and of these films. I hope this will be the beginning of other journeys for us together.

All the best,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

Thank you for reading along with me. Last Thursday, Sister Wendy included one of my favourite paintings, by Rembrandt. Readers of will recall mention of this painting as hanging in Richard Clark’s study. He makes reference to it when he calls his son, Scott, into his office to speak about Scott’s attitude toward his brother, Gabriel.

As part of my Lenten reflections, I’ve been looking at the painting Sister Wendy chooses each day and examining it before reading her reflection. After reading her reflection, I look at the painting again.

This past Thursday, on a second look at the painting, I noticed the prodigal son is missing a shoe, or perhaps it has come apart and fallen off. The missing shoe is a small detail but Rembrandt conveys so much with this absence; it marks extreme poverty and desperation. Perhaps it conveys the long walk the son had to make his way home. William Shakespeare mentions “troubling deaf heaven with his bootless cries,” in his He uses the adjective “bootless” to indicate that his cries are worthless. Perhaps Rembrandt is communicating a similar thing by removing the shoe of the prodigal.

Then there’s what could be the brother, standing to our right in the painting. He’s looking down at the prodigal. He’s standing apart from him. Those of us whose cries have been bootless understand the prodigal, but the brother doesn’t. He hasn’t found himself in that desperate form and so he keeps his distance. From we know that the brother reacts with judgment and condemnation. But those of us who have truly felt desperate or in despair know how the prodigal is feeling. In him, I see myself. O to be able to return to my father’s house and be welcomed with open arms, even though I am impoverished and shoeless …

The painting, like the parable in Scripture, shows us unconditional love and the open arms of God that await us. We are not alone and we are loved.

I welcome your comments below and as we embark on a new week, feel free to comment on any of the paintings we encounter on our journey this week.

Peace be with you all,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

Peace be with you all. I wish a blessed Ash Wednesday to everyone who is celebrating. Today, I’m beginning to read work, I invite everyone, of all traditions, to join me in reading this book.

Take a moment and examine the first painting chosen by Sister Wendy – by It’s a beautiful painting but it’s frightening. Spend some time taking a closer look at the details of the painting – the ships, the people, the flecks of foam on the wave …

Then take some time to read and reflect on Sister Wendy’s commentary.

“What we can do, we do. Beyond that, we endure.”

Sister Wendy quotes a Scripture, , reminding us that “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The waves may be high, our ship may be fragile, but we are not alone and we are loved. This is a profound thought we can carry with us through the waves and over them.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I welcome your comments below. I shall probably post once or twice per week, but feel free to comment on any of the readings this week below.

Thank you for reading and Peace be with you all,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

The following is a deleted scene from that recounts a flashback. Originally, I had posted this scene to the Bookish Temptations website back in 2013, but since the site is no longer active, I’ve decided to repost it here.

“A Deleted Scene (flashback) from The Gabriel Series by Sylvain Reynard “

‘In Gabriel’s mind he could see Julia in his apartment in Toronto, walking toward the ensuite in the master bedroom.  He caught her wrist and wordlessly brought her to the bed.

He kissed her softly as he began to undress her, his blue eyes glowing with worship and need.  He took his time, adoring her neck and naked shoulders, his lips fluttering across the surface of her skin.

Of course he’d worship her beautiful back – the curves and creamy skin inviting his hands and his tongue.  Her elegant neck begging for his attention.

A photograph couldn’t do justice to her beauty. He’d have to hire an artist. But what painter would he trust with the most precious gift he’d ever received?

Gabriel reclined on the bed and pulled her astride him, gazing up at her with an expression of wonder and desire.  

She moved her hips to taunt him a little, closing her eyes as she did so. Gabriel reached up to cover her breasts, lifting and caressing them.

After a few moments, he moved her to her back and knelt between her legs. 

She sighed in satisfaction as he entered her, pulling him so that their chests were pressed tightly together.

Gabriel liked her on top but he also enjoyed her beneath him – a soft place to land and to love. In a world that was frequently cold and cruel, everyone needed a soft place to land.

A few more kisses and he paused to stare down at her intensely, his blue eyes dark and his brow furrowed. 

“Gabriel?”  

He closed his eyes minutely and shook his head. 

Julia reached up light fingers to attempt to smooth the wrinkles from his forehead.

“What’s wrong?”  

He opened his eyes, staring as if she were the first woman he’d ever seen. 

“You’re my graven image.  My idol.  And I can’t live without you.”

A slow smile spread across her perfect lips.

“You won’t have to,” she murmured.  “I love you, Gabriel.” 

He held her gaze as he began to move, their bodies synchronized.  His mouth hung open as he groaned above her.

It would be easy, oh, so easy to close his eyes and take his pleasure, without remarking how he was affecting her, or ensuring that she receive satisfaction first.  Whereas before, with other women, his manly pride had prevented him from being a selfish, insensitive lover, now over his body love held sway.

He loved her. He adored her. He’d do anything for her.

Despite his own temptation, what he wanted most was to see her mad with want and then to watch that want be sated, knowing that he had done it. That he had the power, the incredible primordial power, to satisfying the longings of her body and perhaps her soul.

Was it blasphemous?

Of course.  Gabriel knew the pleasures of the body were meant to be a foretaste of divine union.   Although he despaired of ever entering Paradise once his earthly life had ended, he agreed that the absolute fulfillment of the soul would be greater than any fulfillment of the body.

Such thoughts enabled him to maintain his self-control while his beloved Julianne watched him with eyes filled with love.

“I need you,” he rasped, as his movements increased to a fevered pitch. 

Julia’s response was lost in a series of cries as they orgasmed one after the other.

“Thank you.” She pressed a kiss to the side of his face as he buried his nose in the crook of her shoulder.  “I never tire of being close to you. Of loving you this way. You’re so good to me.”

He mumbled an answer but Julia didn’t press him to be explicit. He’d already told her how he felt and the message was overwhelming.

“I’ll love you forever,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around him and holding him as if she would not let go.’

Thank you for reading,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

Our Lenten Read-Along will begin this Wednesday, February 22nd. Join me in reading Sister Wendy Beckett’s book for the next forty days. Sister Wendy, an eminent art historian, offers a painting a day, with her reflection and commentary.

I’ll post on Wednesday with a few remarks of my own, and open the comments to you for your reflections. I’ll likely post once per week but may post more often. As ever, you’ll be able to post your own comments and reflections on a daily basis. I’m looking forward to our discussions.

A reminder that all are welcome to join this discussion. Also, I’ll be doing the chatroom on April 1 at 9AM Eastern to talk about this book. You’re welcome to join the chat.

See you Wednesday,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

I’m happy to report that my publisher has placed for $12.50 US. That’s a 50% price reduction. The sale begins today and runs for a limited time.

“The Roman” is the conclusion of and is also available as a and an . If you haven’t read this series, which is complete, the first book is The hero of the series appears in and his scenes have already been filmed. I’m looking forward to introducing him to you all.

All the best and thanks for listening,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

Last year, I read NT Wright’s book during Lent and thoroughly enjoyed it. Reading it was a way to reflect on the Lenten season in anticipation of Easter. I invited you to read along with me and a number of you joined me.

This year, Lent begins on February 22nd and ends April 6th. I’ve chosen to read by Sister Wendy Beckett. was from South Africa. She studied English at Saint Anne’s College, Oxford, (which you may recall was an important location in ), and she sat for examinations under the supervision of Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. In fact, to stay on at Oxford and continue her studies, but she chose to live as a contemplative nun.

Sister Wendy was an avid student of art history and eventually became a television presenter for the BBC. Many of you may remember her series on Western art. In “The Art of Lent,” she includes forty paintings, one for each day of Lent, along with her commentary and reflections. This small volume will fit in your pocket, and I think it will offer an interesting journey through art history.

I’m inviting all of you to read along with me. You don’t have to observe Lent in order to read along; I think art speaks to all of us, no matter our beliefs and traditions. Pick up the book and join me by starting with the first painting on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd. We’ll read and reflect on a painting a day for forty days. I’ll post weekly reflections here, and you’ll be able to interact with me on social media. Also, I’ll make a special visit to the podcast chatroom in order to discuss the readings. The date will be announced.

I’m hoping many of you will join me on this special journey.

All the best and thank you for reading,

SR

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Dear Everyone,

I’m pleased to announce that resumed filming yesterday. I’ve already posted a couple of photos to my and pages, but I’ll be sure to continue sharing content as I’m able. Passionflix is also sharing behind the scenes content on their social media.

Please join with me in saying prayers and sending positive thoughts to the cast and crew, that they would be free of injury and illness and that their hard work would be blessed. I’m really looking forward to viewing the final product.

In the meantime, and are both available to stream on the And the DVDs of both films are available in the

All the best and thank you for reading,

SR

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