Mid-September and Sirius, the brightest star, the “Dog Star”, is in the south-eastern sky. From my little patio, I see it at 5 AM rising over a peaked roof across Clarence street.
I like the dark, don’t mind the days getting shorter, there is charity under this blanket. But I feel the impermanence it announces, feel it acutely in my attempts at creating something of enduring value.
The day arrives in brilliance and sorrow and worry. How do you stop that? There is no remedy for sorrow. It is inextricably sewn into the dawn. As is beauty. As is brilliance.
And but for beauty and brilliance there would be no sorrow. Just as the slightest taste of love dooms you—forever defenceless to suffering. Just as a moment of well being gives pain its penetrating sting.
There is a bird in the pear trees next door that begins to sing at six o’clock. I haven’t identified it, it remains a mystery but the song is full of divinity. I only know this because I’ve heard birds before; I’ve heard birds on different continents, heard magnificent songs; and now mornings without bird song seem a complete waste—can very well wreck a day.
Sunday I darkened the door of a church—it’s been a while. I happened to sit beside a lady with what I’m guessing is a mild form of Down Syndrome. She kept getting lost during the singing, paging through the few sheets of large-print songs provided for her. Each time I helped her by pointing out where we were. After the service, she leaned over and said. “Thank you. I love you very much.”
St. Augustine said that Christ is always stronger in the heart of another (I thank Christian Wiman for this reference). Which means, for me at least, that I will always depend on others for my faith. More than this, it means that the experience of love, better, the love of God, is simply, and profoundly, human love freely shared.
I will blame my introversion, my difficulty in social settings, but it still grieves me to think how often I’ve swerved away from some divine engagement.
Not so with these geese that group and fly past each morning just after dawn. Theirs is a wondrous, uncharted hope, under this still bright morning star.
And again you show us all the ways simplicity can also be profound…
“Christ is always stronger in the heart of another” — thank you for this. it brings tears to my eyes. it is such a gracious and grace-full thing to say.
So many of these same gifts from the Father I cherish as well: birdsong, shining star, love shared and peace within. Yes, sorrow visits, but the One who gives me strength to bear it wraps His arms round about and drenches me with grace.
Don’t give up on the imperfect church…it needs your giving spirit.
Memories of friendship shared, now decades ago. Hurray for Facebook and the chance to soak in your words. Marj Drury
Thank you Adela!
Thank you for that Edward!
I thank you for this writing. Your words will stay with me for a long time as they’ve hit a chord.
Thanks so much Marj. Indeed it’s been a long time.
Thank you Liz! That means a lot to me.
I love this! Thank you…
Thank you Anne!
I liked your statement about depending on others for one’s faith. A “personal relationship” with God/Jesus must always be interpersonal – with others. The fulfilling of this faith is seen in “love one another” which both generates and nourishes such faith.
Thanks for this – again!