This weekend I felt moved by Fr Frank’s admonition to use our tongues wisely, inspired in part by today's readings and the gospel finial:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Indeed we can get into the excesses of gossip, eating, and hurting each other, but equally we can draw each other up from our darkness, or speak up for the right thing. I puzzle over the fact that lately no one seems to agree on what the right thing is—or, more accurately, on what the wrong is. There is an outpouring of action, and this gives me hope—I especially love the pouring out of beauty into the world, and though I am a huge proponent of action (I am passionate about being active in my community school, helping local homeless families by spending time with them, and the like), I want to pause today on the power of beauty in its various forms.
It seems like nothing to post on the effect of soul-lifting, attitude changing music, or thought-provoking art, or fragrant and God-touched nature, or even a good, delicious plate of food. In fact, some of us seem to poo-poo each other at the frivolity of these things, but I think they’re necessary side by side with calls for action. And perhaps equally if not more effective alongside meeting people in person rather than just engaging online—something about looking at a living, breathing human being with opinions and biases and realize you like each other even if you don’t agree is enlightening to say the least. A couple of friends of mine have made it a habit in the past couple of years to meet regularly over lunch or coffee, and we found it to be joy, a kind of soul-balm.
I am not saying at all we should not be upset at the state of the world, at the rate at which we’re trying to hurt each other. That is indeed a worrisome and ever-present battle each of us should fight in our own way, each small action one step closer to the way things should be. In adding beauty to the world we’re sweetening the deal; we’re creating a swifter passage for right and good to pass through.