The way to men’s souls is through their hearts

Beauty can can come to us in so many varied ways.  Through story and song, as described in this excerpt from Stephen Lawhead’s Merlin:

And it came to me while I was singing–watching the ring of faces around the night’s fire, their eyes glinting like dark sparks, gazing raptly as the song kindled and took light in their souls–it came to me that the way to men’s souls was through their hearts, not through their minds.  As much as a man might be convinced in his mind, as long as his heart remained unchanged, all persuasion would fail.  The surest way to the heart is through song and story: a single tale of high and noble deeds spoke to men more forcefully than all of blessed Dafydd’s homilies.

Beauty can come to us through a beautifully written book or poem.  I re-read certain books periodically, like Cry, the Beloved Country, just for the beauty of the story and of its writing.

Or through the life of a lover of souls.  John Paul II.

All true beauty reflects the pure and stunning beauty of God, and, of course, I have only mentioned a few avenues of encountering it.  How have you perceived His beauty?

2 thoughts on “The way to men’s souls is through their hearts

  1. “All true beauty reflects the pure and stunning beauty of God, and, of course, I have only mentioned a few avenues of encountering it.”

    Misericordia is home to 550 developmentally disabled children and adults). It is an extraordinary place where God touches hearts everyday. Residents live in skilled nursing, where my daughter Elizabeth works, to homes in the surrounding neighborhoods and everything in between. I cannot hold a big enough place in my heart for the people who are part of Misericordia. Not just the residents but the staff, the volunteers, the families. I am priviledged to volunteer regularly. The residents are wrapped in mystery but so full of God’s beauty.

    1. Thank you, Kathleen, for introducing Misericordia to us. It makes me think of His Eye is on the Sparrow, a small home for mentally challenged young adults that one of our sisters, Sr. Kelly, works at. (You’ll have to chat with her when you’re here for the WTH meeting.) You are so right: “The residents are wrapped in mystery but so full of God’s beauty.”

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