Spring is supposedly the time of beauty and hope, bringing new life to plants and trees and hibernating animals. There is beauty to be found in autumn as well, with leaves turning colour and fruit and vegetables maturing to give the abundance of harvest. And here we are, entering another season of autumn, in October.
One of my favourite hymns starts with the words, O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness. Beauty of holiness is a phrase that I find hauntingly evocative, as I think of people whom the world would consider plain, or unattractive superficially and yet radiate holiness and goodness: ‘with gold of obedience and incense of lowliness’, as the hymn goes on continuing its theme of Epiphany. Alfred Agius writes about the Beauty of Jesus in this issue. I am sure we all know people whose inner beauty shines through, in their daily lives and interactions.
John Clare’s poem on page 16 helps us reflect on the ‘instinct of human hope’, while we enter a season of hope, with the cautious opening up of society after the successful vaccination programme. And we hope for improvement in the mental health of all those who suffered during lockdowns, especially young people who have been affected. We hope that hospital beds would be freed up for the treatment of people who have been on long waiting lists. And above all, with COP26 we hope that steps will be taken to reverse global warming, so that the next generations can inherit a beautiful and bountiful earth as we have been fortunate enough to enjoy.
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