Photo Friday - "White"

Light

Ever since we crawled out of that primordial slime, that's been our unifying cry, "More light."  Sunlight.  Torchlight.  Candlelight.  Neon, incandescent lights that banish the darkness from our caves to illuminate our roads, the insides of our refrigerators.  Big floods for the night games at Soldier's Field.  Little tiny flashlights for those books we read under the covers when we're supposed to be asleep.  Light is more than watts and footcandles.  Light is metaphor.  Light is knowledge, light is life, light is light.  

~Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider

Light. Light that breaks through; light that shines on its own. Inescapable, unrefined, and real. 

Even still, the beauty of this light can be misused, spurned and turned from. It can be directed away from the purpose it pursues. 

What is light? Light gives light to the darkness, it illumines and enlightens, it prompts life-giving energy, I say.

Yet, what is to be said for when the light continues, but these essential qualities of its nature no longer persist?

Light. Light that does not give light to the darkness. Light that does not illumine. Light that does not give way to life.  Light used only to precipitate darkness and death. Light becomes  utility - acting toward an end which is against its nature. 

(i.e. - The lights used to illumine the evil deeds of the Holocaust)

Light. Light that is in keeping with the purpose it pursues. Light that illumines, enlightens, and gives way to life. Life that is radiant, incandescent, and transcendent. Light that blinds only to give sight to that which is robustly beautiful. 

Light that not only shines for its own sake but for the sake of another. Light that consumes impurity. Light that cannot be fully understood or grasped, but that lights a path to the greater journey at hand. This, my friends, is light - pure and unadulterated light.

Light that is all consuming, light that purifies and refines.

Let us look with our inner eyes at this great spectacle, our nature, which dwells for all eternity with the immaterial fire of the divinity. And let us take off the coats of skins (cf Gen. 3:21), the earthy and carnal ways of thinking, in which we were clothed because of our transgression, and stand on holy ground (cf Exod. 3:5), each one of us hallowing our own ground by means of virtue and reaching up to God. In this way we shall have boldness when God comes in light, and as we run to Him we shall be enlightened, and, once illumined, shall live for ever to the glory of the one brightness in three Suns, now and for ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

~St. Gregory Palamas - Homily 35

First Official Summer Entry

The first few Summer posts will be "catch up posts" - photos and such from over the course of the semester that have stacked up.

Catch up post #1: Washington D.C. Trip

Week #2 - Images Fitting to Holy Week

"Come, let us all sing the praises of Him Who was crucified for us, For Mary said when she beheld Him upon the tree, Though Thou dost endure the cross, Thou art my Son and my God"

Weekly Installment #1 - The Heralding of Springtime

Eucharistic Endeavors Part II

Some may remember my attempts this past Summer toward daily conveying my thanksgiving through image. I entitled this little project as "eucharistic endeavors," and continued the posts through the end of August.


Well, I then kinda became a college student, and that was the end of that. My artistic efforts have been about as dry as the dead leaves on the ground for many months. However, this beautiful Spring weather has set my creativity back into motion, and I have decided to resume weekly (vs. daily,) posts.


I hope you are all reveling in this magnificent season of new life as I am. Let us join in beholding the beauty that is before us.

To Be Home

I walk through my front door, gaze through my bedroom window, or sit down to the kitchen table for the thousandth time and contentment resounds in my spirit. Such things are so familiar and yet equally distant from me. I remember all of the times spent in this home. Though times of anger, frustration, anxiety, and chaos have all been present in this place - these are not the times I remember. Times of laughter, contented silence, peace, order, and love are what dance across my mind. Yet, for now, these must remain only as memories. 

What a great blessing to spend this past week at home. Each time I go away I forget of the beauty, the love, and the goodness that is present there. (Yes, even among the bickering and sometimes less than peaceful household.) I had forgotten how much I missed kissing each member of my family goodnight, playing games at my aunt and uncle's house, lighting a candle, reading books to my little cousin, sitting around the dinner table, being in the company of my grandparent's, cooking as well as partaking in good home cooked meals, and yes, I even missed doing the dishes and folding fresh laundry.


It's difficult to live in two different places. Each place has its struggles and stress, but each place is also richly furnished with blessings and joys. I must for now try to be faithful to each the best way I know how. Faithful to my duties as well as faithful to the people there. So, as I sit here at my desk I remember the place from which I have come. I love that place, and I love the people there. But now I must also be present to this place, right here, right now. At the moment that means closing my computer and opening my book, "On Law, Morality, and Politics". 


So, in closing, I will say this: thank you, my dear family and friends, for so graciously receiving me. I will see you again in May.

~~~~~
I ran across a lovely song by Miranda Lambert called "The House that Built Me," and thought it quite appropriate. Here are a few of the lyrics:

You leave home, you move on and you do the best you can. 
I got lost in this whole world and forgot who I am. 

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it 
this brokenness inside me might start healing. 
Out here its like I'm someone else, 
I thought that maybe I could find myself. 
If I could walk around I swear I'll leave. 
Won't take nothing but a memory 
from the house that built me.

-Miranda Lambert, The House that Built Me

Here are just a few photos from my time at home.

Enjoy!

My Aunt's very own beautifully made cupcakes made for my cousin's birthday party

A scene I have greatly missed. I am so blessed to be a part of this Parish. 

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at St. Catherine's.

Flaming Candles in the Narthex

Sharing a delicious cucumber-tomato-avacado sandwich with my mommy.