summer sun

at some point during my first winter in chicago, it began to dawn on me that there was a particular, though hard to describe, look to things. objects and scenes around town had a characteristic "chicago" feel to them, a feel that was hard to pin down, but nevertheless undeniable. at first i thought this look/feel had something to do with the objects themselves that are found around chicago -older brick buildings, rusty american cars, salt-stained streets and sidewalks. eventually, however, i realized that the look/feel i was noticing wasn't the result of particular objects, but of the kind of light that chicago gets in the winter. it is a pale, northern winter light. the sun never gets very high, staying low in the southern part of the sky even during midday. and this means that our winter light is drained from its oranges and yellows, so that we are left with a thin and sickly light, a light which lacks not only physical but also emotional warmth. and so, the "chicago feel" i had noticed was simply the way the city looks illuminated by this pale winter light.

having endured this winter light, i feel especially delighted and thankful for days like today. there is a warm summer sun, high in the sky, shining a full and luscious light. what is more, we now have wonderfully long days. may favorite light of all, i think, is the light that begins in late afternoon on a summer's day, and then grows increasingly soft and colorful through the course of a long summer twilight.

i have been trying to spend as many evenings as possible sitting by the lake in the evenings as the sun goes down. one of the great pleasures of doing this is having one's visual field filled almost entiredly by the changing shades of water and sky. i have find myself thinking that my capacity to enjoy, my capacity to delight, is much too small for the beauty of world.

on a day as beautiful as today, it seems fitting to celebrate with St. Francis' Canticle:

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun,
who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness.

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars,
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.

We praise You, Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Earth,
who sustains us
with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.

We praise You, Lord, for those who pardon,
for love of You bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
by You Most High, they will be crowned.

We praise You, Lord, for Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.

We praise and bless You, Lord, and give You thanks,
and serve You in all humility.

amen and amen.