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I'm sure you have witnessed a blazing sunset when the sun appears as a great red ball of fire and then, when the sun has disappeared, it leaves behind those blazing intense trails of what seems like flames .... tongues of fire! The Psalmist wrote, "The Heavens declare the glory of God."
John O'Donohue, Irish priest, poet and philosopher, noted in his engaging book "Beauty - The Invisible Embrace" how, of all colours "red" is perhaps "the most passionate and intense". He observes that "Red is never neutral. When red is present, something is happening: red is for danger."
O'Donohue then goes on to reflect deeply and personally on how in religion "red" is a vital colour. He writes thoughtfully" "One of the Central Icons of the Catholic Church is the Sacred Heart. This is a picture of Jesus with a red heart exposed and framed in thorns; it is portraiture of love as sacrifice."
As someone who was once a priest in the Catholic Church, but found himself having "less and less in common with the hierarchy" O'Donohue became, almost by accident, an overnight success on the speaking circuit with the release of his first book Anam Cara. Of course, as is always the case, when someone has a charismatic personality and a way with words that engage and excite people, his ecclesiastical superiors became somewhat suspicious of his "inclusive theology".
John O'Donohue, writing from his deep well as a pastor and a priest declares that "The ultimate gift is red." Speaking directly to my heart, as someone, like him, a priest of Christ's Church, privileged
to celebrate the Eucharist for many years, O'Donohue writes reflectively of how, "In the Eucharist, bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus. The ultimate gift is red. Kinship with Jesus
is not achieved merely through sentiment, idea or faith, but in the visceral act of eating
his body and drinking his blood: filling oneself with the redness of Jesus."
And of course during the Season of Pentecost, which we are presently observing in the Church,
John O'Donohue reminds us that "Here red symbolizes the flame of new courage and transfiguration which the Holy Spirit brings." May you find the courage to be transfigured!
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
and do not give the devil a foothold.
~Saint Paul~
Almighty and everliving God, We most heartily thank thee That thou dost graciously feed us,
in these holy mysteries, With the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; Assuring us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us;
And that were are living members of his mystical Body, Which is the company of all
faithful people; And are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom.
Amen
all photographs are the property of cathcart photos
John O'Donohue, Irish priest, poet and philosopher, noted in his engaging book "Beauty - The Invisible Embrace" how, of all colours "red" is perhaps "the most passionate and intense". He observes that "Red is never neutral. When red is present, something is happening: red is for danger."
O'Donohue then goes on to reflect deeply and personally on how in religion "red" is a vital colour. He writes thoughtfully" "One of the Central Icons of the Catholic Church is the Sacred Heart. This is a picture of Jesus with a red heart exposed and framed in thorns; it is portraiture of love as sacrifice."
As someone who was once a priest in the Catholic Church, but found himself having "less and less in common with the hierarchy" O'Donohue became, almost by accident, an overnight success on the speaking circuit with the release of his first book Anam Cara. Of course, as is always the case, when someone has a charismatic personality and a way with words that engage and excite people, his ecclesiastical superiors became somewhat suspicious of his "inclusive theology".
John O'Donohue, writing from his deep well as a pastor and a priest declares that "The ultimate gift is red." Speaking directly to my heart, as someone, like him, a priest of Christ's Church, privileged
to celebrate the Eucharist for many years, O'Donohue writes reflectively of how, "In the Eucharist, bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus. The ultimate gift is red. Kinship with Jesus
is not achieved merely through sentiment, idea or faith, but in the visceral act of eating
his body and drinking his blood: filling oneself with the redness of Jesus."
And of course during the Season of Pentecost, which we are presently observing in the Church,
John O'Donohue reminds us that "Here red symbolizes the flame of new courage and transfiguration which the Holy Spirit brings." May you find the courage to be transfigured!
Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
and do not give the devil a foothold.
~Saint Paul~
Almighty and everliving God, We most heartily thank thee That thou dost graciously feed us,
in these holy mysteries, With the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; Assuring us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us;
And that were are living members of his mystical Body, Which is the company of all
faithful people; And are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom.
Amen
all photographs are the property of cathcart photos
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