Am I the only one who wonders why Jesus is so rarely pictured as smiling? God-the-Father is rarely depicted in art. I believe it has to do with graven image cosmic copyright or something. But when God is depicted in art – also no smile. It just makes me curious, is all.
This circle of greens on the grass near my home caught my attention last week. Was it a Labyrinth? Was it a Solstice Circle? Was it a Druid Circle? I asked a little old lady on a bench a few feet away. “What is that?”
How do we find our “yes” and our “no”? How do we make the discerning decisions that keep us on our desired path and do not tempt us off our path?
The masks we wear, no matter how glamorous, just get in the way of living life.
I like the Mary I read in our scriptures just like I like the Jesus I read in them. They were quiet. Silent mostly, really.
I suppose it is possible to retreat to a cave and avoid humans after too many disappointments. And if one spins it as a “spiritual calling” then I guess one may be perceived as super-spiritual. But I find its best to remain out there, vulnerable but discerning.
This originally appeared as part of the Daily Sip, a website from Charles LaFond, a spiritual companion, author, potter and fundraiser who lives on the
We are soon to enter the season of “wreaths” in both ecclesial and social terms. Churches and many of their people will want to create the Advent Wreaths – that great countdown to Christmas – the enfleshment of God. But outside churches, regular people will be fashioning wreaths for their front doors.
An artist, collaborating with elements, be they words, clay or paints, is entering vulnerable territory when taking up the tools of the trade to make a new thing. To make a new thing is a vulnerable act that takes enormous courage. And then, even if the book is written or the cup is fired, there are the critics. Critics abound.