The author of beauty

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The Promise

The Porter's Gate

Today is Friday the 14th of November, the feast of Saint Joseph Pignatelli, in the 32nd week of Ordinary Time.

The Porter’s Gate, with Molly Parden and Jonathan Ogden, sing ‘The Promise’. How does this song speak to you today? Have you found God in creation recently?

This gift you gave

From the beginning

Warm light, dry land

Blue water brimming

And more, from the earth

There came a growing

From seed to bloom

All the while you were sowing

It was love, love

Given in the water

And peace, God's peace

Written in the letters

Of the earth, God’s earth

Given with the promise

Can we keep it?

Can we keep it?

And stars in the night

To gaze on them kindly

Great light, cool moon

All aligned in the sky, see

From watеr came light

And so from the land

To feed and not to fight

To stand hand and hand

It was love, lovе

Given in the starlight

And peace, God's peace

Given in the sunshine

On the earth, God's earth

Given with the promise

Can we keep it?

Can we keep it?

Out from the silence

I hear a voice, I follow it onwards

You whispered to me

I am reminded

Of every gift you gave

So Spirit, lead me unto the waters

Unto the earth you made

Teach me the secret to ever care for

To ever look after it

It was love, love

Given in the water

And peace, God’s peace

Written in the letters

Of the earth, God's earth

Given with the promise

Can we keep it?

Can we keep it?

Can we keep it?

3:28

Today’s reading is from the Book of Wisdom.

Wisdom 13:1-9

For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature;

and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists,

nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works;

but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air,

or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water,

or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world.

If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods,

let them know how much better than these is their Lord,

for the author of beauty created them.

And if people were amazed at their power and working,

let them perceive from them

how much more powerful is the one who formed them.

For from the greatness and beauty of created things

comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.

Yet these people are little to be blamed,

for perhaps they go astray

while seeking God and desiring to find him.

For while they live among his works, they keep searching,

and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful.

Yet again, not even they are to be excused;

for if they had the power to know so much

that they could investigate the world,

how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?

5:35

Restore

Dear Gravity

Today’s passage speaks of people who admire the beauty and power of the natural world - sun, moon, stars, fire, wind - but fail to find God in the making.

Perhaps there have been times that you have stood in awe at the golden wonder of a sunset, the energy of a stormy sea or the sheer presence of a mountain range?

What do you feel when you experience these marvels of nature?

We are reminded that the human heart has a natural desire for God. Yet we focus only on what we can see. Perhaps we don’t see the wood for the trees? Wisdom encourages us to look beyond - seeking and desiring to find God.

Reflect on the times when you may have been spiritually 'near-sighted', looking no further than what is in front of you...

What does it mean to come to an awareness of God?

As you listen to the passage again, invite the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to where God is present in your life today.

9:11

Wisdom 13:1-9

For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature;

and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists,

nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works;

but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air,

or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water,

or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world.

If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods,

let them know how much better than these is their Lord,

for the author of beauty created them.

And if people were amazed at their power and working,

let them perceive from them

how much more powerful is the one who formed them.

For from the greatness and beauty of created things

comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.

Yet these people are little to be blamed,

for perhaps they go astray

while seeking God and desiring to find him.

For while they live among his works, they keep searching,

and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful.

Yet again, not even they are to be excused;

for if they had the power to know so much

that they could investigate the world,

how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?

11:05

'Seeking God and desiring to find him.'

Take some time now to be present to God, expressing whatever thoughts, feelings and desires arise in you at this time...

12:49

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen