THE MANISFESTATION OF LOVE

St. Peter, Rome  and Assissi  sketches

robert r. lackney, liturgical architect

Thomas Merton, in his book “The Seven Story Mountain”, describes his experience of Christ while visiting the great worship spaces in Europe.

 

This trip led to his conversion to Catholicism.

Thomas was attracted to the visual imagery of the sacred spaces: stained glass windows, symbols, sanctuary smells, the glitter of gold, and the flashings of silver that frame the Byzantine icons.

These images have also deeply inspired me.

We Catholics have discovered the sacred language that speaks silently within our basilicas, cathedrals, and churches.

“Sacredness”; it would seem, is somehow concentrated in symbol, form, image, or geometry and many are attracted to its presence.

The parish worship space becomes our personal sanctuary for:
Mediation, Contemplation, and Creativity.

Within our sanctuaries we “hear the whispers”  that reveal the images of the Divine:

Christ is present. Christ is teaching. Christ is with us.

 

Embraced by Christ we enter into a wonder beyond imagination. 
 
The Presence of Christ calls us forward into Eucharist and into the community that prays, worships, and serves one another.

Each of us an echo of God’s creative act:  The Manifestation of Love.

Embraced by Christ we enter into Loving and being Loved.

A wonder beyond our imaginations.

Only the Good Things

Deacon robert r. lackney, Lauds: Gethsemane, January 2013

PS:
The mysteries of  “ The Holy Presence”, “ The Divine ”, and “The Sacred” remain common experiences among Catholics, as they should.
We are taught by Holy Mother Church, that events, things, places, and people can be “consecrated” and manifest the Divine Presence in our midst.
Some believe that Sacred Art and Architecture is somehow “in-tune” with the rhythms of supernatural love and sacred space becomes a “resonator” of the Divine.
Whatever, our personal experience, our faith teaches that we receive the Presence of Christ in our daily lives within our chapels and most importantly within the love present within a loving heart.