登陆注册
15293800000023

第23章

For the moment we have left behind the realm of question and explanation, of power over matter and the exercise of bodily faculties; and passed into darkness alight with visions we cannot see, into silence alive with voices we cannot hear.Like helpless men we set our all on the one thing left us, and lift up our hearts, knowing that we are but a mere speck among a myriad worlds, yet greater than the sum of them; having our roots in the dark places of the earth, but our branches in the sweet airs of heaven.

It is the material counterpart of the 'Night of the Soul.' We have left our house and set forth in the darkness which paralyses those faculties that make us men in the world of men.But surely the great mystics, with all their insight and heavenly love, fell short when they sought freedom in complete separateness from creation instead of in perfect unity with it.The Greeks knew better when they flung Ariadne's crown among the stars, and wrote Demeter's grief on a barren earth, and Persephone's joy in the fruitful field.For the earth is gathered up in man; he is the whole which is greater than the sum of its parts.Standing in the image of God, and clothed in the garment of God, he lifts up priestly hands and presents the sacrifice of redeemed earth before the throne of the All-Father."Dust and ashes and a house of devils," he cries;and there comes back for answer, "REX CONCUPISCET DECOREM TUAM."The Angel of Death has broad wings of silence and mystery with which he shadows the valley where we need fear no evil, and where the voice which speaks to us is as the "voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts." It is a place of healing and preparation, of peace and refreshing after the sharply-defined outlines of a garish day.Walking there we learn to use those natural faculties of the soul which are hampered by the familiarity of bodily progress, to apprehend the truths which we have intellectually accepted.It is the place of secrets where the humility which embraces all attainable knowledge cries "I know not"; and while we proclaim from the house-tops that which we have learnt, the manner of our learning lies hid for each one of us in the sanctuary of our souls.

The Egyptians, in their ancient wisdom, act in the desert a great androsphinx, image of mystery and silence, staring from under level brows across the arid sands of the sea-way.The Greeks borrowed and debased the image, turning the inscrutable into a semi-woman who asked a foolish riddle, and hurled herself down in petulant pride when OEdipus answered aright.So we, marring the office of silence, question its mystery; thwart ourselves with riddles of our own suggesting; and turn away, leaving our offering but half consumed on the altar of the unknown god.It was not the theft of fire that brought the vengeance of heaven upon Prometheus, but the mocking sacrifice.Orpheus lost Eurydice because he must see her face before the appointed time.Persephone ate of the pomegranate and hungered in gloom for the day of light which should have been endless.

The universe is full of miracle and mystery; the darkness and silence are set for a sign we dare not despise.The pall of night lifts, leaving us engulphed in the light of immensity under a tossing heaven of stars.The dawn breaks, but it does not surprise us, for we have watched from the valley and seen the pale twilight.

Through the wondrous Sabbath of faithful souls, the long day of rosemary and rue, the light brightens in the East; and we pass on towards it with quiet feet and opening eyes, bearing with us all of the redeemed earth that we have made our own, until we are fulfilled in the sunrise of the great Easter Day, and the peoples come from north and south and east and west to the City which lieth foursquare - the Beatific Vision of God.

Vere Ierusalem est illa civitas Cuius pax iugis et summa iucunditas;Ubi non praevenit rem desiderium, Nec desiderio minus est praemium.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 聆听新世界

    聆听新世界

    这不是一部普通的科幻短片,而是人类对未来科技的一次崇高幻想。这是一个窗口,透过这里,我们将窥得一片崭新的未来世界。联邦的困境?宇宙流浪者的阴谋?尖端科技的交锋?看何宇如何以聆听者的身份打破宇宙流浪者的阴谋并俘获财团大小姐白闫雪的芳心。当异能与科技交锋,又将爆发出怎样的火花?
  • 斩戮巅峰

    斩戮巅峰

    辱我者,我皆辱之!现代杀手转战青木大陆,看肖天泽如何站上巅峰之路!各位在看本书的名之后,然后看本书的简介,我想说你们敢看完第一卷吗?短短二三十章而已?请问你敢看吗?敢的举手!!!!椰子恭候你的大驾光临。勇士请丢上收藏和推荐!!!请问有勇士吗???
  • 走进光学世界(物理知识知道点)

    走进光学世界(物理知识知道点)

    构成光的是那些物质呢?在光学的研究中有哪些大师巨匠为了探索光的奥秘而付出了辛勤与汗水?光是如何被人类广为应用的?这众多的问题都能在《物理知识知道点:走进光学世界》中得到解答。请《走进光学世界》吧。
  • 快穿之反攻策略

    快穿之反攻策略

    三千世界,冤魂无数,唯有寥寥几人帮忙散冤,可自那天起,困难任务都被一女子包揽,“我帮你们散冤,不过唯一的要求就是,我需要其空间的一个魂魄,并由我挑选,可好?”…此后,她踏上了慢慢征程,只为……那人复生!
  • 极地穿越

    极地穿越

    墓中发生突发状况,该怎么办?结实兄弟,能不能团结一心?相当丞相就这么难么?朝廷发生事故,他是否能躲过一劫吗?跟匈奴对决,他是否能逃出厄运?这一切的一切,就是因为一个突如其来的穿越。
  • 红楼韵事

    红楼韵事

    本书以独特的视角、犀利的笔触,对中国古典名著《红楼梦》中的爱情婚姻、人情世故、家族兴衰、权力运作、风俗流变、道德与法等问题进行了深度解析,揭示了红楼社会中人与人之间错综复杂的关系,破解了许多未解之谜,生动展现了清朝社会各阶层生活中的潜规则。本书富于哲理,故事性强,文字幽默风趣。读者在领略阅读快感的同时,还能对《红楼梦》的理解更为深刻,从而得到人生的启迪。
  • 玄天道魂

    玄天道魂

    秦峰,一个普通学生,在跟随导师在寻找昆仑神木的途中,却被人为地卷入到时空裂缝中,流落到拥有万千玄术的世界里,更不幸地被变异植物种子寄生,奄奄一息的他却因为特殊属性,被大家族视为提升血脉的最佳傀儡,他能否摆脱这不幸的命运。(PS:主角不中二,不亢奋,不种马,不拖沓,只是有点神经质...)
  • 傲凡恋

    傲凡恋

    讲述了在一所高中家世显赫的高冷校草林傲喜欢上一个被人唾弃的女生廖落凡?....落凡成功逆袭..
  • 只想活着

    只想活着

    一切的一切从一场大火开始,命运的车轮转动改变。
  • 色彩其实很有趣:“卉”生活“卉”色彩

    色彩其实很有趣:“卉”生活“卉”色彩

    生活里人们离不开色彩,正确地使用色彩不仅能提升你的形象、美化你的环境,还有助于你的健康。资深色彩培训师伊卉老师通过本书向大家分享了有关色彩的心得:通过了解色彩的特性掌握色彩的秘密,利用色相环轻松练就色彩搭配高手,学习基因色彩,找到最适合自己的颜色,甚至还可以以色彩为职业成为色彩顾问去帮助别人。