Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious
“Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods, let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these; for the original source of beauty fashioned them.” (Wisdom 13:3) As I was reflecting on today’s rather poetic First Reading from the book of Wisdom, you might say I was “distracted” by the beauty (and adorableness) of a little three-month-old puppy who joined our family this past weekend. Yes, I am smitten with this little creature/creation with its perfect little puppy eyes and nose and ears, even its little white puppy teeth and pink tongue, not to mention the rest of its perfectly puppy body all the way to the white tip on the end of its tail.
And while trying to reflect and write while being distracted by this adorable creature, my husband called me to the back door to hear a great horned owl in the distance and see a beautiful crescent moon setting on the horizon. Then I thought, what perfect distractions these are – not really distractions at all, but perfect examples of “the greatness and beauty of created things” from which, “by analogy,” God, “their original author” is seen. (from Wisdom 13:5)
The author of Wisdom reminds us that the awesome “works” of the creator are not themselves gods, which some have “gone astray perhaps” to believe in seeking to find God. But these things point to our Creator and can make us “realize…how much more powerful is the one who made them.” (vs 4) And help us “know how far more excellent is the Lord than these.” (vs 3)
This evening I’m feeling very grateful for a Creator even more excellent than this adorable puppy, that awesome great horned owl, and a beautiful large crescent moon.
As today’s Responsorial Psalm (19:2a) exclaims, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God.” Tonight I will add, puppies and owls proclaim that glory as well. And for that I can only thank the Creator. May God be praised.
~Eileen Miller