“Master of beauty, craftsman of the snowflake,
inimitable contriver,
endower of Earth so gorgeous & different from the boring Moon.
thank you for such as it is my gift.
I have made up a morning prayer to you
containing with precision everything that most matters.
“According to Thy will” the thing begins.
It took me off & on two days. It does not aim at eloquence.
You have come to my rescue again & again
in my impassable, sometimes despairing years.
You have allowed my brilliant friends to destroy themselves
and I am still here, severely damaged, but functioning.
Unknowable, as I am unknown to my guinea pigs:
how can I “love” you?
I only as far as gratitude & awe
confidently and absolutely go.
I have no idea whether we live again.
It doesn’t seem likely
from either the scientific or the philosophical point of view
but certainly all things are possible to you,
and I believe as fixedly in the Resurrection-appearances to
Peter and to Paul
as I believe I sit in this blue chair.
Only that may have been a special case to establish their initiatory faith.
Whatever your end may be, accept my amazement.
May I stand until death forever at attention
for any your least instruction or enlightenment.
I even feel sure you will assist me again, Master of insight & beauty.
― John Berryman
GALATIANS 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
ART APPRECIATION
We see a light source from the left shining on Titus’ face. the light on his face is a great contrast to the rich browns of the habit and background. Titus was 19 years old when he posed for this portrait, and he has a thoughtful and pleasant look on his face. Sadly, Titus died at 27 years old.1
Rembrandt can Rijn (1606-1669) was born in the Netherlands and liked to draw as a young boy. He studied as an apprentice where he learned to make paints and to stretch canvasses. He began painting portraits, focusing on people’s clothing and gestures. He painted many portraits for wealthy people and was known for life-like reproductions. Rembrandt, like others in the Baroque age, worked with light and shadow to create dramatic scenes. Rembrandt obtained success and some wealth, but but later years were full of financial debt and sadness. In addition to the death of his wife, Saskia, only one of his four children with her lived to adulthood. This was his son Titus.2
MUSIC APPRECIATION
Meditation from Thaïs by Jules Massenet
This piece is a musical interlude that occurs in the middle of Act II of the opera Thaïs. The monk Anthanaël has just urged the beautiful and rich Thaïs to turn from her worldly life and devote herself to God for salvation. The Méditation is a time when Thaïs reflects on what he said. She then tells him that she will listen to him and turn to God.3
Jules Massenet (1842-1912) was the most prominent and prolific composer of French opera in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with more than 30 operas to his credit. Born the twelfth child in a typical bourgeois provincial family, Jules first studied piano with his mother. His skills were sufficient to be accepted by the Paris Conservatoire, where in 1859, he won first prize for piano performance. He spent his early adulthood giving lessons, providing entertainment at local cafés and playing timpani in the orchestra pits of the major opera houses.4
Providence School of Tifton 