October finishes on an upbeat for me. How about for you?
The trees here are a spectacle of color. Last weekend was Open House Chicago and we got our merry band back together and visited places in Beverly, Englewood, and Bronzeville. Favorite sites were St. Benedict the African Roman Catholic Church in Englewood and Boxville Marketplace in Bronzeville where I got to meet the artist Edo.
This month two verses have made themselves known to me and I wanted to share them with you.
One night at dinner the subject of Northwestern University’s motto came up. It’s “Quaecumque Sunt Vera” This Latin phrase was adopted as the University’s official motto in 1890. Translated as “Whatsoever things are true,” it comes from the New Testament book of Philippians (4:8), in which St. Paul admonishes the Christians in the Greek city of Philippi.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
King James Version (KJV)
Last week we lost US Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland. In his first speech to Congress, Elijah Cummings recited this short poem by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays.
I have only just a minute.
I have only just a minute,
Only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon me, can’t refuse it.
Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it.
But it’s up to me
to use it.
I must suffer if I lose it.
Give account if I abuse it.
Just a tiny little minute,
but eternity is in it.
by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays
The message I take from these two verses is that I should be grateful and appreciative of goodness and beauty so that it inspires me to action. I’ve got my work to do.
Peace, love, and solace
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