A Starry Night
The other night we returned home later in the
evening. A bright full moon had already
pulled free from the eastern horizon and was ascending onto its throne of night
sky. No doubt it helped draw Michelle
and I out into the driveway and to look up rather than heading directly into
the house. Many stars were already clearly
visible. We took note how the constellations
had shifted their positions westward in the sky these last weeks of winter. It all gave pause to appreciate how far their
light had traveled so that we could gaze upon them just as countless souls have
gazed at those countless stars for uncounted and counted time.
As only God works things out, we attended a Lenten
reflection on the scripture readings for this second week of Lent, given by Fr.
Jim Neilson, O. Praem this morning. He
is a master at helping others see more deeply, wider, and with more
wonder. This weekend we hear again God’s
promise to Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of the
sky. One of the slides in Fr. Jim’s presentation was Vincent Van Gough’s The Starry
Night. He shared that the younger Van
Gough had pursued a religious vocation, but he was unsuccessful in several
attempts of study with different denominations.
Fr. Jim offered a thought that the stars from the famous canvas could
represent Vincent’s unspoken sermons and undreamed and unrealized dreams.
That made me consider not only the stars, but also the
darkness of the distance between the heavenly lights. Good art, as well as the natural sky, always
leaves space for the inclusion of our own experiences, imaginings, fears and
desires. This is really my hope for
those who take the time to read these Embers essays. What I write is only intended to spark to
your own memories, your own imagination, and your own questions. You are what is written in-between the
lines. I only seek to share myself, so
that you feel invited to reflect more deeply on your own experiences, thoughts,
and imaginings.
It may be a helpful Lenten exercise to say a prayer
for those who struggle at seeing the beauty in the mirror that they see out in
the world, to take some time to ponder what is written in between the lines,
and what wonders are possible in the darkness between the stars, and to consider
the light as a way to the Light. I wish
you a starry night.
His Peace <><
Deacon Dan
Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash
PS: I will be out of the country on a religious pilgrimage to Spain, Portugal and France for the next two weeks. This will be the last Embers post until I return. Since this is being posted just ahead of St. Patrick's Day I will share this traditional Irish blessing with you:
"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields, and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand."
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