Mastery or Mystery?10/20/2021 Wednesday of the 29th Week in OT
The Gospel today speaks of the relationship between master and servant. Paul’s letter to the Romans speaks of being “slaves of sin” and “slaves of righteousness.” Although we may find the concept of master-slave or even master-servant off-putting or even repulsive, it is so much a part of biblical experience that it is hard to ignore. Rather than an analysis or exegesis of today’s scriptures, my own prayer led me to remember a retreat I made some years ago using the poem, The Wreck of the Deutschland by Gerard Manley Hopkins. It was the first line that came into mind as my morning musing turned to “mastery.” I share with you the first and fifth verses of this extraordinary poem by a “master of the art of poetry.” Thou mastering me God! giver of breath and bread; World's strand, sway of the sea; Lord of living and dead; Thou hast bound bones & veins in me, fastened me flesh, And after it almost unmade, what with dread, Thy doing: and dost thou touch me afresh? Over again I feel thy finger and find thee. I kiss my hand To the stars, lovely-asunder Starlight, wafting him out of it; and Glow, glory in thunder; Kiss my hand to the dappled-with-damson west: Since, tho' he is under the world's splendour and wonder, His mystery must be instressed, stressed; For I greet him the days I meet him, and bless when I understand. (Today's photos are from last night's sunset over Niles Pond and this morning's predawn. For me, it's not the "dappled-with damson west" but the "dappled with damson east." I hope they evoke a sense of mystery. BTW, I had to look up "damson." Hopkins must have seen "damson plums" in the colors of sunset.....
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Leave a Reply.AuthorAs an ordained Catholic priest for 45 years and a member of the Jesuits for 57 years, I've had a great deal of "spiritual" experience! This is a place where I can continue to share my thoughts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and what it means to live the "mystery of God." Categories |
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