Beauty of space
“Jesus in Space: A True Story That’s Out of This World” written by Cecilia Cicone shares with us a touching experience of Tom Jones, an American astronaut who took Holy Communion (the Eucharist) when he traveled to outer space in the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. Space is such a marvelous and huge place that we keep dreaming of going beyond the Earth.
All the planets, including the Sun, and the moon are constantly moving while maintaining their appropriate space and distance among themselves.
What would happen if there is no space among all the existences in the universe?
If one of them loses its interspace concept, all of them will collide and be destroyed all of a sudden. Each planet is never tightly arranged; each of them co-exists with a sense of space and distance. So do we!
One day, I tried to light two candles on the altar in our chapel, but I couldn’t make them ignite immediately because I put the lighter too close to the wick. After several attempts, I realized the necessity of keeping a space between the wick and the lighter. Then, I could succeed in lighting the candles with the help of that space.
Whether small or big, cosmic or global, space is so important in our lives. Especially in our human relationships, having some space, giving room, and keeping a wise distance help us to understand, accept, love and appreciate others as they are.
When relationships are difficult, being apart for some time provides room for improvement. Surely, some space helps us to be free, peaceful, objective, reasonable and relaxed. Emotional and spiritual space also brings about healing, resilience and peace of mind.
Even in my room where I have some living necessities such as a bed, a chair, a desk, a lamp table, a bookshelf and a built-in wardrobe, I still need some space to be and move around.
At bookshops as well, when there is a wider entrance, people who enter feel more room to browse with inner freedom and peace.
The trees on the mountains also need some space to grow. When they are too close together and over-crowded, they can’t give enough room to one another and, as a result, they can’t grow to the fullest. So, the gardener regularly weeds out, prunes and thins them out appropriately.
Thus, the beauty of space is created. A physical sense of space is also related to a spiritual sense of moderation, temperance, emptiness and simplicity.
Many years ago, when I walked around the streets of Rome, I noticed many stores displaying a few products to create some space where we could appreciate their true values and merits.
Having some space in many ways lets me breathe in peace. Being over-crowded, being in a hurry, being overwhelmed due to overwork, being impatient, and, thus, living without peace of mind never allow us to appreciate the beauty of space. What a joyful gift it is to have some space along the way of our hectic lives!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled… I am the way and the truth and the life… Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:1,6,27)
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo), living the Good News and proclaiming it with various means of social communication.