The Sermon of All Creation: An Introduction Fall Ferns and Trees Cold Mountain Spring Water Red Dawn Sunset Eye of the Desert Wildflowers Marshlands Setting Sun Cacti Purple Sky Snow on Cedars Spreading Branches Twilight Yellow Mist

slide 10 of 16 How late I came to love you, O Beauty so ancient and so fresh, how late I came to love you! You were within me, yet I had gone outside to seek you. Unlovely myself, I rushed toward all those lovely things you had made. And always you were with me, I was not with you. All these beauties kept me far from you—although they would not have existed at all unless they had their being in you. You called, you cried, you shattered my deafness. You sparkled, you blazed, you drove away my blindness. You shed your fragrance, and I drew in my breath and I panted for you. I tasted and now I hunger and thirst. You touched me, and now I burn with longing for your peace. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) The plants give off the fragrance of their flowers. The precious stones reflect their brilliance to others. Every creature yearns for a loving embrace. The whole of nature serves humanity, and in this service offers all her bounty. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)