All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is, and from studying the works did not discern the artisan….
Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods, let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these; for the original source of beauty fashioned them. Or if they were struck by their might and energy, let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them. For from the greatness and the beauty of created things their original author, by analogy, is seen.
In the old days – before security precautions overwhelmed such opportunities -- a man might take his son to the airport to see the arrival of the President of the United States. They could watch the airplane land and taxi to the reception area. They could watch the stairs being moved to the airplane and the door opening. They would see the Man descending the steps and being greeted by local dignitaries.
The father would remember the arrival of the most powerful man on earth; the child would remember the airplane.
In today’s reading from the Book of Wisdom, the author observes how the gentiles see the outer beauty of creation but cannot discover the Artist whose essence is Beauty. They are impressed by the “might and energy” of earthquakes but fail to see the All Powerful One.
We are fascinated by what is seen even as the Spirit urges us to ponder what is unseen. Often the unseen is far more beautiful, mysterious, delightful and significant than appearances would suggest. Those who see only the appearance are missing the whole story.
Where the ancients saw the sun, moon, stars and thunderstorms and imagined gods, the modern sees only facts and imagines systems. He would build a universe of facts, and suppose that it resembles life. His universe would have all the charm of a Star Wars death star.
If anything these modern ideas are less insightful than the ancients’, for they offer no meaning at all. What does it mean that the earth rotates around the sun, or that atoms are made of subatomic particles? Is the universe nothing more than an empty machine, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing?
The Author of Wisdom may not have had the gee whiz gimcrackery of our advanced civilization but he knew foolishness when he saw it. Not to see the artist behind the art is childish at best. The adult, reading a great book or watching a fine movie, wants to know more about the author or director. The characters may be interesting but, as Steven King said, they are only bags of bones compared to the author. A great actress may play the immortal role of Ophelia or Rosalind but she herself is far more fascinating, mysterious and lovable.
We enjoy the privilege of intimacy with the Divine Artist. We may call God "Our Father" and speak familiarly with Jesus. The Holy Spirit, that Wisdom who binds the universe, draws us into their company and their conversation.
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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.