New Eyes
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
Henry David Thoreau
When we are faced with images such as this, what do you see? When we ponder the answer to that question, there is an implicit invitation to look within ourselves and articulate our values, our beliefs, our capacity to empathize… to say where we stand. But we’re human and we evolve, we change our minds, we grow. We have a God of second chances. Opportunities to rethink and reimagine and see our world with new eyes and then to change it even in our own corner of the world. I am forever struck by the question in the Episcopal baptismal covenant, “Will you strive for justice and peace and RESPECT the dignity of every human being?” RE-again; SPECT- to look. Will you look again at the dignity of every human being? And as we answer that for ourselves, we question our own eyes. What we see. We question our capacity to see beyond what we think we see to see what is inherent in us all as human beings. Our common stories, our inherent potential, our divine inspired humanity. And we strive. We try and try again- thanks be to God!- to see with new eyes. It is incumbent on us to develop new eyes and to see what is common to us all- DIGNITY. And then to live our lives confident in our capacity to do just that. Oh God, help us to look and look again; help us to see anew; help us have new eyes.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being? I will with God’s help. (Book of Common Prayer)
Beth,
I enjoy your posts as much as Rob’s!
Michael in LaGrange
Thank you Beth Sarah As always, I find your words inspiring and meaningful. Peace, Catherine Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S9, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone