Gerard Manley Hopkins and God's Grandeur and Pied Beauty

This week's reading is found on page 265 of Spiritual Classics, Richard Foster, editor.

An ordained priest and poet who suffered with bouts of depression, Gerard Manley Hopkins created new methods of expression within the art of poetry during his at times melancholy life. Influenced by his own father's forays into poetry, Hopkins, the eldest of nine children, began to work with the medium at an early age. Following the example of John Henry Newman, he converted from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism in 1866 and in 1868 decided to enter the priesthood. Serving in various parishes in England and Scotland, he eventually became professor of Greek literature at University College Dublin, but his English roots, disagreement with Irish politics, and peculiar nature prevented him from earning much success as a teacher. After many years of illness, Hopkins died of typhoid in 1889. Though his despondancy was at times overwhelming, he evidently overcame this, his last words noted as being, "I am so happy. I am so happy." This week's selection, though perhaps challenging, comes to life when one reads it aloud -- don't be afraid to read it to yourself or to a friend or family member.

* 1. How can we make time to consider the beauty of God as expressed in God's creation?

* 2. What has been a time when you have felt despair about the state of the world, and creation has reminded you of God's goodness?

*3. Read Foster's reflection on the Hopkins' poems, and his recollection of St. Augustine's words that the senses are "the messengers of God." What are we to make of what our senses take in when the world around us seems not-so-beautiful? How can we be better stewards of the earth?

*4. Take a moment and mediate on this musical reflection, found at the link below, on the poem "Pied Beauty" by musician Sean O'Leary. What images or feelings come to mind?

http://www.gerardmanleyhopkins.net/demo/song3_56.html