I’ve spent the past few glorious days on an island in Lake Nipissing enjoying the splendour of creation. I made the mistake of checking in from time to time on the comings and goings of the rest of the world. This morning, my perusal of offerings from the news media revealed an article heralding the discovery by archaeologists of a “piece of Jesus’ cross”. I couldn’t help myself. I just had to share the news with my delightful breakfast companions and together we mocked the very idea that this story would be considered news. After all, so many “pieces of the cross” have already been discovered and elevated for veneration, that one wonders why anyone would take notice of yet another attempt to produce a piece of the instrument of Jesus’ execution. Our collective mocking of the “news” article ended with questions: supposing we suspend credulity and go along with the idea that “they” have indeed found a piece of “the cross”, why would anyone care? Why would anyone want to venerate such an ugly relic when creation offers us so much beauty to venerate.

Surrounded by the grandeur of God, I could not help but turn my attention to Creation and venerate I did!

“A beautiful thing, though simple in its immediate presence,

always gives us a sense of depth below depth, almost an

                        innocent wild vertigo as one falls through its levels.” (Frederick Turner)

Here’s a glimpse of the object of my veneration.