Posted on 04/11/2018 7:18:31 AM PDT by Salvation
A big problem today is that of widespread boredom. With all the diversions available to us, one would think we would be one of the least bored generations in history. There are various forms of entertainment available to us quite literally at our fingertips: television, streaming video, radio, the Internet, video games, and more.
Yet still it seems that we are often bored. The reason for this, I think, is that we are overstimulated.
The frantic pace of even our recreational activities leaves most of us incapable of appreciating the subtler, gentler, and more hidden things of life.
Dale Ahlquist, the great commentator on G.K. Chesterton, writes,
There is no excuse for being bored. … And yet the modern world is bored. … Our entertainment grows louder, flashier, and more bizarre in ever more desperate attempts just to keep our attention.
As G.K. Chesterton proclaims (Tremendous Trifles, p.7): “The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder.” There are no dreary sites, he declares, only dreary sightseers (Common Sense 101, p. 27).
Boredom is a problem on the inside; happiness, too, is an “inside job.” We should all seek the great gifts of wonder and awe. We should strive to appreciate God’s glories and wonders, which are on display at every moment: in everything we see and in everyone we encounter.
The gift of wonder also depends on other gifts: humility and gratitude.
Ahlquist continues,
The key to happiness and the key to wonder is humility. … Humility means being small enough to see the greatness of something and to feel unworthy of it, and privileged to be able to enjoy it (Common Sense 101, p. 33).
Consider well the meaning of this wonderful yet simple reflection and the relationship between humility, wonder, and gratitude. Yes, to be humble is to feel unworthy of the glories that are always before us, to wonder at them and to feel privileged just to be permitted to enjoy them.
Indeed, even the word “consider” invites us to a kind of awestruck and grateful mysticism. The word comes from the Latin cum (with) and sidera (stars), so that its literal roots convey “with the stars.” In other words, to consider something is to think upon it, regard it, and gaze upon it with the wonder with which one would look at the night sky filled with stars.
So, “consider” well the glories that are on display for us every moment and behold them with humility, wonder, and gratitude.
Monsignor Pope Ping!
That's a sight that the modern urbanite will never see.
Maybe not, but the people on your street are wonders of God’s creation, too, if you look at them with spiritual eyes.
So are the squirrels, pigeons, and stray cats. And much as I enjoy Tom Lehrer’s songs, I have no desire to poison any of them.
However ... there’s nothing like seeing parts of creation that are bigger than us to remind us that creation IS bigger than us ... and that God is bigger than all His creation.
We’re talking about awe and wonder, here.
The awe and wonder expressed by my urban-dwelling friends at the sight of the night sky from my rural abode serves as a reminder to ME not to take it for granted.
Well, that's true.
I’m not sure I see any points of disagreement, here.
Praise be to God!
No, not really. I would like to point out, however, that the people you meet, having immortal souls, are a greater wonder than the cats, bats, and fungi.
My pastor once reminded me that a single human soul is of greater worth than the entire material universe; Jesus died to save that soul; He was conscious of every soul individually as He hung on the cross. The same cannot be said of cats, bats, rats, or whole galaxies. The "animal rights" slogan "a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy" is a blasphemy. This should, I think, bring home the absolute horror of sin. Particularly horrible those sins like abortion (and other forms of murder), sodomy, adultery and scandal which damage the souls of others.
Excellent comments, and I agree.
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