Moonrise Meditation
Kind of accidentally, we ended up having an Ansel Adams calendar by our bathroom sink every year. Years and years ago I hung one there because there was a handy nail, thinking I’d figure out where it would go later. But now I love having it where I see the images every morning. Each year when I change to the new one, I hate putting the previous year’s pictures away. Like a painting, you can gaze and gaze into the images, see more and more, and it sparks more and more thoughts.
Last month’s image was this one, “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941.” It’s always been a favorite of mine and I was glad to see it appear. Some thoughts.
The moon in the middle of all that dark black sky reminds me of the many verses about Jesus being the light of the world.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” --John 8:12 NIV
“I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” --John 8:12 The Message
“The Lord is my light and my salvation” --Psalm 27:1
“The Lord shall be your light forever” --Isaiah 60:19
Look at the graveyard with the crosses and gravestones shining white in the moonlight.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. --1 Corinthians 15:55-57
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose! --Chorus, “Low in the Grave He Lay”
The graveyard and buildings look like a little town surrounded by a vast landscape.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” --Matthew 5:14-16
The clouds, too, are luminous. The word luminous is beautiful. I think of luna, the moon (in Latin--and Spanish), and, of course, light again. Luminous can mean glowing with reflected light -- reflecting the love of God.
“Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light” --Revelation 22:5
Luminous, light, luna, love.