Today my friends and I went to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL. It was such a beautiful day! And it is St. Patrick's day, what a blessing. Perfect sunshine, clear blue skies, a gentle breeze, blooming springtime flowers, and sparkling water on the bayshore. Not to mention what was actually inside the museum -- which was gorgeous works of art, mainly attributed to Roman Catholicism. I saw images of St. Sebastian, St. Jerome, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul, St. Joseph, the Blessed Mother, and many more. It was awesome to see all of this beautiful religious art in one place -- in so much detail, up close and personal. I have been there before, but just being able to see it all again was wonderful. All of my old memories from high school field trips started coming right back to me. I loved it!
I saw so much beauty! Beauty in the art, beauty in the day, and beauty of the Lord. The Lord was very much present in everything today. I thank Him greatly for giving me this opportunity to spend time with my friends and with Him throughout each moment of today.
All of this beauty is so joyous and wonderful! But interestingly enough, one of my favorite paintings that I feel is the most beautiful is Carlo Dolci's Blue Madonna -- which happens to reflect Mary's sweet tenderness, but with a heavy heart. She looks downward, expressing melancholy, but her innocence and purity is shown in the radiant light cast on her face. Recalling the seven sorrows of Our Blessed Mother I feel a connection to her loving heart filled with pain. For she, the most beautiful woman of all, loves every single one of us just the same way she loved her Son. And even with so much agony to losing her Son on the cross, her love still prevails with a gentle sweetness -- as seen in this painting; for the overwhelming darkness cannot evade the light. It is in this light we see a gentle beauty and warmth that comes from the love deep inside her soul. This is how I wish to be like the Holy Mother, to let my life be a reflection of the deep love and brilliant light inside my own soul. To portray His love and beauty so that others may see it and seek it for themselves.
And that my friends is the beauty of the Lord, as seen in all things. From the beautiful sunshine of a day to the beautiful light that dwells within your own heart. So make sure that when you want to express the love of God in the most beautiful and pure way possible -- that you do so with a warm and gentle glow, like Mary. Do not hide or dim your own light to blend in with the darkness. For if given the chance, your light will shine and prevail with beauty captured by the Lord Himself -- giving both Jesus and Mary great joy in doing so.
