Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.
—Psalm 50:2
Perhaps I look too often for the human conception of beauty in the church: Beautiful architecture, fine paraments, glorious stained glass. Yet beauty as defined by God might be—and probably is—quite different. For how does God shine forth from the body of Christ, but in the preaching of the gospel and selfless acts of kindness? In word and deed, therefore, we see the perfection of beauty, for these encompass the faith of the church. The most glorious depiction of the perfection of beauty is an humble saint doing the will of God.
God our light, make your church like a rainbow shining and proclaiming to all the world that the storm is at an end, there is peace for those who seek it, and love for the forgiving.
—A New Zealand Prayer Book
I pray in the Name of Christ, who taught me to pray: Our Father...
