(Concept inspired by podcast with Fr. Paul Murray)
*****

Each painting that soothes us
Or tear-springing tune
Each novel that moves us
Or gem finely hewn

Each face that we treasure
Each animal cute
The redwoods of grandeur
Or color-splashed fruit

Each sunset fantastic
Or moonrise of glory
The mountains majestic
Tell but half the story

All sights that enchant us
All sounds past compare
All things earth could grant us
So gripping; so fair

We find that they wound us
Then leave us still yearning
They’ll never consume us
Or quell the deep churning

All feelings that drench us
Will cease and disband
Time’s gifts cannot quench us
Our souls more demand

Beneath such brief beauties
Beneath, yet above
The Bridegroom-Creator
Soft-whispers His love

With gifts, He pursues us
This Lover untiring
With loveliness, woos us (1)
Toward joy unremitting

Unquitting

And unexpiring

*****

(1) cf. Song of Songs

Thank you Jesus, source of all beauty;

reason and inspiration for the co-creation of this beauty;

sustainer of this beauty and enabler of our perception of it!

O Lord, to whom this beauty points as a sign,

may all created, temporary beauty draw us to You,

O Uncreated, Eternal, and Beautiful One…

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9)