Moves me to hope

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. --Fr. Thomas Merton

 

I'm not sure we understand the importace of art to our spiritual/human well being. In times past they seemed to know better. The world's greatest artist, musicians, and poets used their brushes, instruments, and pens to explore the glories and mysteries of God. From Michelangelo, to Van Gogh, to Caravaggio,,, from Bach, to Mozart to Beethoven, the spiritual life inspired the arts to the greatest heights of timeless masterpieces. Art not only inspire us, it  challenge us. In its own mysterious way it births the important questions. It encourages, fills with awe, enrages, surprises, saddens, stirs hope, is a mirror for the times we are in, stokes the fires of love and abandon, moves our souls, gives us pause. We may find ourselves staring at the "Prodigal" by Rembrandt and realize how deeply we are loved. We may be listening to a piece by Bach and know that we are known. I gaze often on Vincent's "Sunflowers", it moves me to hope.

 

wkm