“Euonymus alatus compactus” the botanists call it. For us commoners it’s the “burning bush” and here on campus it’s providing a spectacular display of fall color. True to its name, its leaves have turned a brilliant red. The popular name comes from Exodus 3: “The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in flames of fire from within a bush. God said, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’”
How many people, I fear, are missing the awe of creation? How many more obsessed with the screen on their smart phone? With our own problems? “Earth’s crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God. And only he who sees takes off his shoes. The rest sit around and pluck blackberries.” (Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
Be a child again, a child of God, and take a long look. Marvel. Old “euonymus alatus compactus” has square branches, not round. So many opportunities to marvel at God’s creation, but what do we do? Rush on to the next meeting, click the next link, pluck our Blackberries or iPhones or Droids, or what have you.
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