And as I seek God, and when He grants a consolation, I can see, oh yeah, a "painting", but also something given to me as a window to help me look beyond where I could possibly see, and there, still only seeing tempera on wood (or whatever) I see what cannot be seen by mortal eye.
But to these other brethren, that is unacceptable. To me they seem parsimonious and fearful of offending God. To them I seem idolatrous and proud of myself. To me an icon or an image is a beautiful thing and a gift which points beyond itself. To them it's at best a dangerous distraction and temptation and a kind of theft from God of what is due to God alone.
I don't know how to go further. I like the world I see where anyone and anything can be a saving act of God and where thanks is the currency of life. T me that Icon knocks my mind right off its rails: The inside is bigger than the outside, the womb of a girl contains that which is bigger than the Universe. And words fall away.
"T me that Icon knocks my mind right off its rails: The inside is bigger than the outside, the womb of a girl contains that which is bigger than the Universe. And words fall away."
You understand the Platytera well. There are no words for the concept, at least no words which can encompass that truth. That's why The Church gives us this icon; because it "says" what we cannot. Now if it has such an effect on you, imagine what I feel when I look on one beneath which my family has worshipped for 700 years.
Not at all. I'm starting to notice that Jack's been having kind of a tough day, so I'm sure he can use all the help he can get. :)