Episode 1847: Who could be the Master of these beautiful things?

St. Josephine Bakhita "Seeing the sun, the moon, and the stars, I said to myself, ‘Who could be the Master of these beautiful things?’ I felt a great desire to see him, to know him and to pay him homage."
This reflects her profound spiritual journey and her search for God after a very tragic life. Born in Sudan in the late 19th century, St. Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery. Through her experiences and suffering, she eventually encountered the Christian faith and converted to Catholicism.
The quote you provided highlights her awe and wonder at the beauty of creation, expressed through her observation of the sun, moon, and stars. In contemplating these natural wonders, she was led to ponder the existence of a Creator, whom she desired to know and worship.
For Catholics, this statement by St. Josephine Bakhita underscores the universal human longing for God and the recognition of His presence in the beauty and majesty of the world around us. It speaks to the innate desire within every person to seek and encounter the divine.
Furthermore, St. Josephine Bakhita's journey from slavery to freedom, both physical and spiritual, serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and the redemptive love of God. Her life story is often celebrated as an example of perseverance, forgiveness, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Overall, St. Josephine Bakhita's words resonate deeply with the Catholic understanding of creation, human longing for God, and the transformative power of faith
St. Francis of Assisi: Perhaps one of the most famous examples, St. Francis had a deep love for nature and saw all of creation as a reflection of God's glory. He wrote the "Canticle of the Sun," a hymn praising God for the beauty of creation, including the sun, moon, stars, and various elements of the natural world.
The "Canticle of the Sun" is a famous hymn written by St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints in Catholic tradition. It is also known as the "Canticle of Brother Sun" or "Laudes Creaturarum" (Praise of the Creatures). St. Francis composed this poetic masterpiece in the Umbrian dialect of Italian around the year 1224 or 1225.
In the "Canticle of the Sun," St. Francis praises God for the beauty and harmony of creation, expressing gratitude for various elements of the natural world. The hymn is structured as a song of praise to God for the sun, moon, stars, wind, water, fire, and Earth, as well as for the gifts of life and forgiveness.
Here's a brief summary of the key themes and verses of the "Canticle of the Sun":
Praise for Brother Sun: St. Francis begins by praising God for creating the sun, which symbolizes God's splendor and light.
Praise for Sister Moon and the Stars: He continues by praising God for the moon and stars, which adorn the night sky and reflect God's glory.
Praise for Brother Wind: St. Francis acknowledges the wind as a symbol of God's power and presence, bringing refreshment and renewal to the Earth.
Praise for Sister Water: He praises water for its purity, essential for sustaining life and symbolizing God's cleansing and refreshing grace.Show more

Praise for Brother Fire: St. Francis praises fire for its warmth and brightness, symbolizing God's illuminating presence and refining love.
Praise for Mother Earth: He concludes by praising God for creating the Earth, which sustains and nourishes all living beings, and for the gift of life itself.
Throughout the "Canticle of the Sun," St. Francis emphasizes the interconnectedness of all creation and the importance of living in harmony with God's creatures. The hymn reflects his deep love for nature and his profound spirituality, which saw God's presence and goodness manifested in every aspect of the natural world. It remains a timeless expression of praise and gratitude for God's creation, inspiring countless individuals to appreciate and care for the Earth as a sacred gift from God.
There is a prayer that is said after mass that say this very things and an excellent prayer to say rather than rushing out of church after mass. It’s a prayer of thanksgiving after mass. But here is another Psalm
Psalm 148:
Praise from All Creation: The Psalm begins by calling on all of creation, both celestial and terrestrial, to praise the Lord. This includes the heavens, angels, sun, moon, stars, and elements of nature.
Praise from the Earth: The Psalm continues by calling on various elements of the Earth to praise the Lord, including the sea creatures, weather phenomena (such as lightning and hail), mountains, hills, trees, and animals.
Praise from Humanity: The Psalm extends the call to praise humanity, from rulers and kings to all people, young and old alike.
Reasons for Praise: The Psalm gives reasons for praising the Lord, emphasizing His greatness, sovereignty, and the fact that His name alone is exalted.
Universal Praise: The Psalm concludes by reiterating the call for all creation to praise the Lord, from the heavens to the Earth.
Psalm 148, like the "Canticle of the Sun," celebrates the beauty and glory of God's creation and underscores the interconnectedness of all creatures in offering praise to their Creator. It serves as a reminder of the divine presence and providence evident throughout the natural world, encouraging gratitude and reverence for God's handiwork.
But there are many Psalms that say these things:

Psalm 8: This Psalm reflects on the majesty of God as seen in the heavens and on Earth, emphasizing the greatness of God's creation and humanity's place within it.

Psalm 19: This Psalm praises God for the revelation of His glory through the heavens, declaring that the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Psalm 24: This Psalm speaks of the Earth and everything in it belonging to the Lord, emphasizing His sovereignty over creation.

Psalm 29: This Psalm describes the power and majesty of God as demonstrated in the forces of nature, such as thunderstorms and earthquakes.

Psalm 33: This Psalm praises God as the creator of the Earth and all its inhabitants, declaring His righteousness and lovingkindness.

Psalm 65: This Psalm praises God for His provision of rain and fertility, celebrating His care for the Earth and its creatures.

Psalm 104: This Psalm offers a comprehensive hymn of praise for God's creation, detailing His role in sustaining the natural world and providing for all living creatures.

Psalm 136: This Psalm repeatedly declares "His mercy endures forever," celebrating God's acts of creation and redemption throughout history.

Psalm 145: This Psalm extols the greatness of God's works and the splendor of His kingdom, acknowledging His provision for all creatures.
St. Augustine of Hippo: He famously wrote, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you," capturing the innate human desire for union with God.
St. Thomas Aquinas: He often contemplated the order and beauty of the universe as evidence of God's existence and wisdom, famously referring to God as the "Unmoved Mover" in his philosophical works.
St. Teresa of Ávila: She frequently found inspiration in nature and saw God's presence reflected in the beauty of the world around her. St. Teresa's writings emphasize the importance of contemplation and seeking God in all things.
St. Ignatius of Loyola: His spirituality emphasizes finding God in all things, including the natural world, and encourages individuals to seek God's presence in their daily lives.
These saints, among others, offer profound insights into the relationship between humanity and the created world, emphasizing the beauty of creation as a pathway to encountering God and deepening one's faith.