If you have been following the thread of the articles I’ve been writing, you may have noticed that last week’s article was the tenth and final article in the series on the Pentecost Sequence. Though I have been intently considering topics for a new series of articles, I have come to no definite conclusion as to what exactly to write about.
The theme of the work of the Holy Spirit is still, however, hovering in my mind, as I look out at the natural beauty of these hot and humid late summer days. The Spirit helps us to listen to the Word of life and beauty God spoke into creation. The natural world truly proclaims God’s glory and is a place of contemplation in which we see clearly His desire that all things would have life and have it abundantly – that all things would grow to their full potential.
We see great trees with gnarled roots that seem to want to last forever, small weeds that grow out of parking lots and cracks that I would never have believed could hold a living thing for long. Even the small tree or animal cut down and killed by man or nature becomes a happy home for a multitude of organisms that keep on living and consuming and bringing order to this changing world. Only a great and beautiful mind could have been the source of this relentless life.
I conclude with a poem – one that may remind you of springtime (and hopefully cooler days!) – a poem that touches upon the scriptural and very Augustinian theme of nature praising its maker by simply existing as he wishes:
Upon the dappled walls of stackéd stone
a vine grows up and sprouts its verdant bud
A leaf springs forth and looks to meet the sun
that breaks aloft with yellow on the clouds
The stone reflects what light the vine lets through
as leaves of green and shadow rustle round
The moist spring breeze of blue-green-yellow runs
past leaves a-glinting in the post-rain light
This earthen majesty about me sighs
and clearly speaks of Him who made the sun,
the leaves, the wall, the stone, the vine, and bud
and sets them light with life upon the spring
O Spring of Life, O Beauty’s Source, you hear
the golden love flown from my heart of flesh,
that sees all things and knows their maker plain
Full life, my God, Sweet Love in whom I trust