The Purity of the Planets

 

In Medieval times, it was hardly unusual for literature to reference the gloriousness of nature, especially that of the planets. C. S. Lewis talks about in his work, The Discarded Image, how the medievals loved the earth more than do many today. Likewise, as Lewis frequently observed, eternity was a central focus in many medieval poems. 

I think it is good for the human mind to realize that the universe is greater than his/her desires. One of the reasons why we should read literature is so that we may understand the emotions and thoughts of other people better. Thinking only of ourselves will constrain us from a purer love of eternal life. For us to be true followers of Christ we must live to strive to be holy and endure an angelic innocence that is rare in this world. To achieve this goal, we must always remember that there is a brighter side of the universe than this realm outside of God's eternal kingdom. However, to be like Christ means we have to be different from the majority in this world. God calls us to be pure as are both the saints and angels in the celestial city. Of course, we have the inclination to disobey God because of Adam's sin which has stained our will. Our will, unfortunately, does not always desire its freedom, which is to rest in God Himself. 

It is interesting for us to think about how the angels have a greater free will than those of the human race. Indeed, the angels of heaven have a will that has not been stained by original sin. Imagine how we would resemble the purity of the angels had none of us ever sinned? The lack of innocence in our culture today has further separated us from the angelic qualities once beautified and admired in medieval literature. Today, our society is more engrossed with violence and profanity than with the wonders of the great planets and burning stars that should serve as a reminder to us that our world is neither the end nor the center of eternity.