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| Can you see beauty in an overcast landscape? |
For thus says the Lord,
The creator of the heavens,
who is God,
The designer and maker of the earth
who established it,
Not creating it to be a waste,
but designing it be lived in:
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
The creator of the heavens,
who is God,
The designer and maker of the earth
who established it,
Not creating it to be a waste,
but designing it be lived in:
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
Anyone who thinks the Church has, or should have, little to say about Earth’s
environment has not read the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Although he lived in a
wealthy, cosmopolitan city and was probably among the titled class in Jerusalem
He also saw the beauty of vitality in the world around him and he knew
these were blessings of a benevolent God. They didn’t simply happen as an
atheist might suggest, accidents of a universe that just happened to spring out
of nothingness. Such a view leaves the soul as a barren of joy as the waste
which frightened Isaiah.
Many have observed that, theologically, this is “The Catholic Hour,”
when our teachings on The Common Good and Natural Law will be
heard by reasonable women and men. It is also the “Franciscan Hour” when our
appreciation for Beauty will be welcome.
Dominican spirituality begins with Truth, and that is a wonderful
place to begin reflecting on life and God and human interaction. But Mystery
remains ever elusive and it cannot be framed by one word. Beauty invites
us to contemplation and revaluation of the world in which we live. The truths
that science continually investigates gleam with radiance when we look at them
through the lens of beauty.
Beauty slows us down. It says “Stop and rest awhile, and be refreshed.”
It say, “What is the worth of this truth and how can I use it -- if I must use
it -- wisely?” Not every good idea should be exploited for all its potential. True,
atoms can be split and atomic bombs can be built from them, but is that what we
want to do with them? Is that the best use of this brilliant insight? If we do
this will it make our lives better? Will it be a treasure for all the people,
or for only some of the people?
In the first chapter of his book, Isaiah invited us, “Come let us reason
together.” Let us also contemplate beauty before we make a waste of it all.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.