Try, Try Again

Behold yet another attempt to keep a record of my reflections. The thinking behind this particular iteration of journaling/blogging is to provide a space for reflections on theology and culture.

The name comes from an idea I had at the beginning of last semester when our American Catholic cultural studies class was doing some research exercises in visual and material culture. Tasked with analyzing the windows of the campus chapel, I was struck by stained glass as a metaphor for theological reflection on culture.

Stained glass stands between the Church and the world. The walls of the Church were purposely taken or left out in places to accommodate beauty that would stand between it and all that surrounds it. Stained glass windows are received most fully in their beauty by standing outside of the Church, yet the right amount of light within can offer its beauty to the world. Stained glass itself, however, is not only part of the world but a product of it. It is testament to the goodness of creation and the ability of creation to transmit the glory of God. Theological reflection on culture, the stained glass of the Church, both reflects and affirms the truth within the walls of the Church. It also stands precariously on the edge between the boundaries of both Church and world, nature and grace, human and divine-- the work of human hands put to the glory of God.