Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Brian’s Reflection: Wednesday, June 15, 2011


All things are perceived in the light of charity,
and hence under the aspect of beauty; for beauty
is simply reality seen with the eyes of love.


Evelyn Underhill, mystic. This is her Feast Day
in the Episcopal Church Calendar



The apostle Paul said (something like) “Whatever is good, whatever is lovely …. think on these things.” I am thinking about my Sunday School experience at First Presbyterian Church, Verdun, Quebec. Mrs. Clegg playing the piano, and all of us little kids singing “All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small; all things wide and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.” I remember those hymns 60 years later, and I realize how they seeped into my Being and shaped my outlook. I’ve certainly done my share of negative thinking through my Life! But I realize now how those Sunday mornings at “First Pres” were just right, just what a kid needs to “know”.

There should be a course in elementary school where “holy wisdom” from all traditions and cultures are taught. Wouldn’t you like to know that when your child arrived at school in Grade Six, this quote from Ms. Underhill or one like it would be written on the board, and the teacher would ask the kids to read it, and maybe say a few words or give and example of what it means to understand that “Beauty is simply reality seen with the eyes of Love”, and what that means about how they view each other and understand their own value?

Reality is shaped by Love. And that’s why we imagine a God of Love, ceaselessly creating that Reality in each person and in all things.

Brian+

1 comment:

matter+spirit said...

This is lovely Brian! thank you. I will share the quote on FB!
And regarding teaching 'holy wisdom from all traditions' --that's definitely where my inclinations are leading me. ...sometimes into the most improbable places ;-)