Sts Basil and Gregory

In supplication meek

To Thee I bend the knee;

O Christ, when Thou shalt come,

In love remember me,

And in Thy kingdom, by Thy grace,

Grant me a humble servant's place.

Gregory of Nazienzen

Sts Basil and Gregory, both of whom are considered among the most important theologians of the Eastern church, had a deep friendship which unfortunately was not able to withstand the antagonism engendered by the Arian heresy. Isolated in his last years, Basil turned to writing poetry as a way to enter, process and integrate the losses he experienced. Art and beauty are powerful ways both of learning about ourselves and following God's path.

A bed ridden brother friend of mine has collected thousands of nature images from the internet and stored them on his Ipad. Each day he looks at a few and marvels at the glory of God so fully alive in creation. No longer able to move about in nature, he is able to access its beauty digitally and praise God for its wonder.

Others use music to transport their spirits into God's world. Whether it is Gregorian chant, the symphonies of Mozart, Bach and Beethoven, or, for the young, hip hop music, we experience delight and fascination at the ability some have to create sounds that lift us beyond ourselves into God's presence. While St Basil wrote poetry as a way to be with and in God despite the desolation he felt, we can all discover God through beauty if only we open ourselves to all that our senses tell us of the grandeur of God.

Today, sit in nature for 10 minutes and let it speak to you.

How has beauty helped you know God more deeply??