November 2, 2022

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins reminds us that “the world is charged with the grandeur of God.”  This can be easy to forget in a world inundated with the media blitz of woe and disaster. Or the normal slog of sun up to sun down living.

Nonetheless, the world is charged with the grandeur of God. Paul’s encouragement to the believers in Philippi is an open invitation to range and roam the world for all its grandeur. From black holes to beetles to biochemistry. To plumb the disco anthems of 1977 to the wisdom of Greek mythology. You name it – somewhere in there will be the grandeur of God – excellent and praiseworthy.

Think about such things. What fun! What a relief!

“Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, andthe infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to knowyou more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (For Knowledge of God’s Creation – BCP)