Friday 14 November 2025 - The author of beauty

Friday 14 November 2025

Today is Friday the 14th of November, the feast of Saint Joseph Pignatelli, in the 32nd week of Ordinary Time. The Porter’s Gate, with Molly Parden and Jonathan Ogden, sing ‘The Promise’. How does this song speak to you today? Have you found God in creation recently? This gift you gave From the beginning Warm light, dry land Blue water brimming And more, from the earth There came a growing From seed to bloom All the while you were sowing It was love, love Given in the water And peace, God's peace Written in the letters Of the earth, God’s earth Given with the promise Can we keep it? Can we keep it? And stars in the night To gaze on them kindly Great light, cool moon All aligned in the sky, see From watеr came light And so from the land To feed and not to fight To stand hand and hand It was love, lovе Given in the starlight And peace, God's peace Given in the sunshine On the earth, God's earth Given with the promise Can we keep it? Can we keep it? Out from the silence I hear a voice, I follow it onwards You whispered to me I am reminded Of every gift you gave So Spirit, lead me unto the waters Unto the earth you made Teach me the secret to ever care for To ever look after it It was love, love Given in the water And peace, God’s peace Written in the letters Of the earth, God's earth Given with the promise Can we keep it? Can we keep it? Can we keep it? Today’s reading is from the Book of Wisdom. Wisdom 13:1-9 For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists, nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works; but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air, or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water, or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world. If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods, let them know how much better than these is their Lord, for the author of beauty created them. And if people were amazed at their power and working, let them perceive from them how much more powerful is the one who formed them. For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. Yet these people are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him. For while they live among his works, they keep searching, and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. Yet again, not even they are to be excused; for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things? Today’s passage speaks of people who admire the beauty and power of the natural world - sun, moon, stars, fire, wind - but fail to find God in the making. Perhaps there have been times that you have stood in awe at the golden wonder of a sunset, the energy of a stormy sea or the sheer presence of a mountain range? What do you feel when you experience these marvels of nature? We are reminded that the human heart has a natural desire for God. Yet we focus only on what we can see. Perhaps we don’t see the wood for the trees? Wisdom encourages us to look beyond - seeking and desiring to find God. Reflect on the times when you may have been spiritually 'near-sighted', looking no further than what is in front of you... What does it mean to come to an awareness of God? As you listen to the passage again, invite the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to where God is present in your life today. Wisdom 13:1-9 For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists, nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works; but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air, or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water, or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world. If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods, let them know how much better than these is their Lord, for the author of beauty created them. And if people were amazed at their power and working, let them perceive from them how much more powerful is the one who formed them. For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. Yet these people are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him. For while they live among his works, they keep searching, and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. Yet again, not even they are to be excused; for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things? 'Seeking God and desiring to find him.' Take some time now to be present to God, expressing whatever thoughts, feelings and desires arise in you at this time... Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen