“Who, being loved, is poor?” — Oscar Wilde
Today, I’d like to explore the word ‘reverence’.
According to The Free Dictionary.com, ‘reverence’ is a feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration. It’s also an act of showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.
I’m reading a book titled “A Tree Full of Angels – Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary” written by author and Benedictine Sister, Macrina Wiederkehr.
Macrina writes;
“Today I carried all the images of life that I could hold in my mind’s eye: trees and flowers, bees, mourning doves and turtles, geese and eagles, deer and rabbits, lions and tigers and bears, men and women, children and angels and of course, God, the Life of all life. Such beautiful memories of life filled my soul. Moments from the past visited the empty places in my heart and renewed my reverence for life.”
As a child, Macrina experienced a profound reverence for life. She recalls saving the turtles that crossed the road from untimely death by placing them safely across the road.
I think each of us is born with a reverence for life and that most of us are educated away from the feelings of awe and deep respect as we grow up.
Like Macrina, I’m renewing my reverence for life. And…it seems synchronicity would have to agree.
When I was writing this post, I checked my Facebook account to catch up on recent activity. A friend had shared a link to a TED talk given by Nobel Peace Price recipient Alexander Tsiaras.
Apparently, Tsiaras used the technology he and a fellow inventor created to capture the development of a human life form from conception to birth.
It’s truly amazing and only 9 minutes long.
Suggestions for contemplation: What does reverence for life mean to you? Does society foster reverence for life?
If you are new to this blog and wonder what this is all about, I’ve given myself a 100 day “Learning about Love” challenge. So — for the next 100 days, it’s all about love. My good friend calls it a “love makeover” (hehehe).
Thank you to all who accompany me on this journey. I really appreciate the support and wonderful comments. 🙂
Wishing one and all a reverent day.
Related articles
- Learning about Love: Day 6 (grandeurvision.wordpress.com)
- Learning about Love: Day 5 (grandeurvision.wordpress.com)
- seeing the Holy in the Ordinary (aimlesswithpurpose.wordpress.com)
The Meaning for my Life 
thought-provoking – love the last sentence of Macrina’s quote – our reverence for life should be renewed every day — it is the loss of this that is the cause of all the world’s problems – a high falutin’ statement, but true none the less – if everyone revered life then they would not interfere with or take the lives of others
So true, LouAnn, so true. Thanks for following this series, LouAnn, it’s great to have the company. Happy Canada Day! 🙂
A lot of what you write of is Wonder and Delight: really seeing the full beauty of life and living things produces these, and thence Reverence.
Thank you for the “Like”. My post seems a strange one to Like- er…
Why?
Your post seemed so honest and straight from the heart. I hesitated pushing the “Like” button versus leaving a comment, however the comment that was there already really said some of things I was thinking as well. Keep writing. I found it helps immensely even though I’m not actually a “writer”. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Wishing you a wonderful day. 🙂
Thank you. Yes, she is right; and what I wrote is where I am, in great part. That writing is about as vulnerable as I have been. And it helps.
🙂
Always wanting to see the holy in the ordinary. (I think the holy hides from us in plain view…) Lovely post.
Thanks Kathy! I think you’re right about that. Wishing you a great week. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Kathy. Love to you. 🙂
Thank you for such a lovely post, Marianne, and for the reminder of what a wonder all life is. I love the quote. 🙂