The Pinnacle

“The pinnacle of beauty is love in the human soul.” St. John Paul II

Recently, I went to a concert. I knew the people singing very well and I invited different people I knew. I thought they would enjoy it. Someone I know suffers from mental illness and the suggestion to persons like that was to surround themselves with beauty. In both circumstances, it was true – beauty does bring joy. I had watched a Ted Talk with my class about the superficiality of beauty around us and how difficult it is to navigate this in society. We need to show others the beauty that is around us and not the outward symbols, but the greater beauty that is possible.

“He (Jesus) opened the book of nature before me, and I saw that every flower He has created has a beauty of its own.” St. Therese of Lisieux

I visited Lisieux and there is a beauty there; there is a charm. Likely, it is brought forth because of the simplicity of St. Therese and her family. Recently, I read about the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris. Despite the perception that there is a lack of faith in France, which might be the case, it does not deter from the fact that the powers that be wanted it to reopen. There was a big celebration as a result. It is said that St. Lucy was known for her beautiful eyes and whether she gouged them out herself or the emperor had it done, it does not detract the fact that the real beauty came from her zeal for the Lord. St. Brigid of Kildare realized her beauty made her an object of the attention of the men around her, she asked our Lord to take it from her. Age might take away beauty in many people, but we never age with God. We are His own and He sees the beauty in us.

“Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight. It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God.” St. Francis de Sales

Once someone sees our faith, they will know beauty. It is this that creates long-lasting beauty and not the outward signs. There is a shop that I drive by almost every day. It sells ‘anti-aging’ products. I have never gone in, but it would be interesting to see what products are being sold. As I continue my journey to work, I pass by some beautiful churches. I would submit that the real beauty lies there. The people I invited to the concert quite enjoyed it. They saw a beauty there as did I. This is much more permanent, and we left the concert with much more fulfillment.

“The light of Christ is an endless day that knows no night.” St. Maximus of Turin