There are different ways in which one might consider the question, “What is the beautiful?” Taking a classical approach to the question, we may consider beauty as a quality of being related to truth and goodness. This is because beauty, along with truth and goodness, is considered a “transcendental”, which is a property of being. The transcendentals are also convertible, meaning that which is beautiful is also good and true.
This section of the blog explores beauty through various artistic expressions. By engaging and raising the mind through beauty, art leads to contemplating higher goods and ultimate truth. Art is also a place in which we can explore the need for quiet and contemplation, resting in what is beautiful (the truest meaning of leisure). The creation of beautiful art is a good done for its own sake, and it is also an important means for staying grounded in what is truly human. Beauty helps us understand the ways we, as human beings, awaken to the world and use our intellectual powers.
This type of icon is known as the Virgin Eleousa (Virgin of Tenderness) characterized by the touching cheeks of mother and child in a loving moment. The icon signifies Christ’s incarnation, suffering, and death for the sake of humankind. Three ornamental stars on the...
“And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.’”[i] The Risen Lord meets the faithful...
Entering Holy Week, we are called to participate in the mystery of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ with our whole person—mind and heart, soul and body. In allowing ourselves to accompany our Crucified Lord, we can glimpse the immensity of God’s...
A woman walks along a hot, dusty road. She is thirsty. Walking out from her town, up the hill to draw water again, is a drudgery. As she hears, “Give me a drink,” she focuses on the man before her, surprised to find anyone here at this time of the day. She...
Blind… Born blind… Bound by the ancient curse. Sitting, listening to the world within and the world around. A beggar crying out silently to God from the depths: “O God, save me, have mercy on me.” The question comes into my ear: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his...
Listen to Panis Angelicus written by Saint Thomas Aquinas, written before 1274 for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ – often called Corpus Christi or Corpus Domini– as the Matins hymn for the Liturgy of the Hours. [i] Bread of Angels, made the bread of...
Listen to O Sacrum Convivium: O sacrum convivium, in quo Christus sumitur; recolitur memoria passionis ejus; mens impletur gratia; et futurae gloriae nobis pignus datur. (Alleluia) Panem de caelo praestitisti eis Omnem delectamentum in se habentem. English...
"O great mystery, and wondrous sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in their manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!" Let us allow ourselves to be enveloped in the reality of this mystery! The...
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, Who orderest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. As we spoke of in the previous post, the cry of the ages was for a Redeemer to come and save us. The book of Sirach Chapter 24...
The Liturgies of Advent, including the music, ring with the theme of staying awaking and watchful, ever ready to respond to the voice of the Bridegroom who is coming. In 1731, Bach wrote this cantata for the Mass for the 27th Sunday after Trinity. The cantata has...