I love it when I just happen into a room at the right time to catch something like this. And it lasts only a moment, which makes catching it that much more special.
....Okay, this is almost twilight zone-y. I wanted to say something profound about how we so often don't see beauty, or meaning, or just something special, because we aren't looking for it. Because we are in a hurry, or because we are so focused on other things.
Not feeling terribly inspired, I turned to Google, hoping to find some appropriate quote to help me out. I was thinking of Jesus' occasional comments about having ears to hear, and I knew he had spoken about seeing, as well. I entered "eyes to see," wondering what I might find.
The seventh entry (skipping images) that came up was from my own spiritual director's blog, and it was an entry that I had not "caught" back when he posted it. But it says so well what I was thinking about.
I share most of it here:
The tragedy is how often we fail to "see" what we see. Our eyes and hearts cannot penetrate the mystery. we are weary and distracted. Our senses dulled and our spirits diminished. There is a glorious reality which our sight does not penetrate. O for the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the heart to know and worship and obey. Reading Chapter 4 of the Revelation (literally, "the unveiling") was a reminder that we live in a world much richer than we can imagine. In praying and opening ourselves to God the heavenly worship going on all around us can be discerned.
We modern people live in an age of radio and tv. We know, even if we do not think about it, that programs are swirling all about us at every moment of each day. Right now the room in which you sit has songs which cannot be heard, games which cannot be watched, programs which cannot be enjoyed, because you are not tuned in. With a radio or tv you can suddenly enjoy these and more. Our faith and spirituality work the same way. we can hear the unheard angel choirs with faith, we can understand the voice of God by listening, we can know the truth, that God is in His heaven and all is (will be) right with the world.
Today I am more aware. As my son said in class, "Church is boring when we aren't paying attention." Wisdom! When we are attentive and giving ourselves, we might catch a peak into the glory that surrounds us. I pray that all of you had that sort of experience today in your place of worship. Now we begin a new week, a chance to pray, to study Scripture, to serve in His Name---a chance to prepare again for the Sunday gathering!
(And it even happens to be Sunday as I write.)
You can find the rest of it, and other great things to read, here
4 comments:
'... and lips that we might tell'!
Your light-filled Lenten pictures are lovely.
I hadn't thought of that song in a while, Lucy! Thanks for a happy memory!
I love the photos. And the thoughts about how we miss moments because we are too busy or just not tuned in. Thank you for your calming, centering words.
Thanks, Cindy. I am continually in need of calming, centering words; I suppose that's why I write them, and share others I find.
Before we moved and my books were all packed, I was reading Rilke's "Letters to a Young Poet." The editor/compiler commented on some of the struggles of Rilke's personal life and how, when one knew more of the background of what was going on in his life, it became clear that his words to the young poet were also written to himself.
I know that's true for my blog.
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