true race of prophets

“Christ Before Pilate” by Mihály Munkácsy
“Christ Before Pilate” by Mihály Munkácsy

Jesus Christ belonged to the true race of prophets. He saw with one eye the mystery of the soul. Drawn by its severe harmony, ravished with its beauty, he lived in it, and had his being there. Alone in all history, he estimated the greatness of man. One man was true to what is in you and me. He saw that God incarnates himself in man, and evermore goes forth anew to take possession of his world. He said, in this jubilee of sublime emotion, ‘I am divine. Through me, God acts; through me, speaks. Would you see God, see me; or, see thee, when thou also thinkest as I now think.’ But what a distortion did his doctrine and memory suffer in the same, in the next, and the following ages!
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
(Divinity School Address, July 15, 1838)

18 thoughts on “true race of prophets”

  1. Barbara, Ralph Waldo Emerson always hits the nail right on the head doesn’t he? Through Jesus, we see God; through ourselves we see God; through our friends and family we see God….

    A very Happy Easter weekend to you, dear Barbara. 🙂

    1. He sure does, Joanne. You can tell I’m a big fan of Emerson’s transcendental thinking by how often I quote him on my blog!

      I hope you had a happy Easter, too! We spent it in Georgia with our son and daughter-in-law and her family. 🙂

  2. “Drawn by its severe harmony, ravished with its beauty, he lived in it, and had his being there.”

    I love the “severe” harmony, and “ravished” with its beauty. Such opposites that really work: severe/harmony, ravished/beauty.

    1. Those are striking paradoxes and how Christ managed to hold them in his being is very inspiring and helps us to understand the divine within all of us.

  3. Happy Easter Barbara! May your life be filled with joy & happiness. May god bless you & your family. Hope you have a fun-filled Easter. 🙂

  4. I am thinking of God, of Jesus, of Easter. The story of the Resurrection. The story of our unfolding, our death to ourselves, our revival. Such a precious story. thank you, Barbara.

    1. You’re welcome, Kathy. It is a precious story, in all the wonderful and poignant ways it is told everywhere. The truths of renewal and unfolding are universal…

  5. You found the perfect painting.
    I was interested to see that this is a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s speech to a Divinity School in 1838. They still stand true today.

    1. Thanks, Rosie, the picture fits well with how I picture Christ might have looked on that day…

      This speech caused a lot of controversy in his day as he was critical of religious dogma and doctrine but advocated for direct personal experience of the divine.

  6. What a beautiful painting…Jesus so human and yet his head held up and his expression reflecting Emerson’s beautiful words: ‘He saw with one eye the mystery of the soul.’

    As always, Barbara, thanks for sharing. I just lost a dear Aunt suddenly on Holy Saturday and this was so moving and comforting.

    1. I’m pleased that you found Munkácsy’s painting and Emerson’s words so moving and comforting, Diane. So sorry to learn about the sudden loss of your beloved aunt – I will keep you and your loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. *hugs*

  7. Through Jesus , we found salvation. Good Friday is a time to reflect, to remember, to change . Thanks for sharing a post that helps us realize what is important in this world. Stay blessed my friend. Happy Easter…

    1. Thank you, Island Traveler! It is good to take a little time to remember and reflect on what Christ has done for us. I hope you and your family had a blessed and joyful Easter, too…

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