“How insignificant earth seems to me when I consider Heaven”.
St. Ignatius of Loyola1
Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.
I hope you enjoy Transcendent Horizons2, the title track from my first Distant Spire album. Recorded in my home studio, it has a combination of soothing guitars and ethereal synthesisers with a relaxing mood - perfect for contemplating the sublime, transcendent nature of God.
Transcendence is that mysterious attribute of God that makes part of him unknowable:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:8-9 RSVCE)3
The Catholic Catechism teaches: “We must purify our language … if we are not to confuse our image of God - the inexpressible, the incomprehensible, the invisible, the ungraspable, the transcendent — with human representations. Human words always fall short of the mystery of God.” [CCC 42]4
Transcendence helps us to reflect on the mysteries of God and our relationship with Him with an open mind, heart, will, and intellect. Transcendence helps us look forward to the time of perfect happiness while being rightly dependent on God now.
As you listen to the track, reflect on this inexpressible, incomprehensible, transcendent image of God, and consider that we have so much to look forward to as we walk faithfully with Him.
Where Else Can I Listen?
My music is available on various streaming platforms and I upload music regularly. I invite you to listen and add The Distant Spire to your favourite streaming platform playlist for devotional meditation music.
Starting with my first release Transcendent Horizons, I will be adding all of my devotional music for meditation to the playlist shown below. You can add it to your own account or follow me on Spotify here.
I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.
Some Additional Notes
I’m currently reading The Interior Castle by St Teresa of Avila5. I received a Gatto Books voucher for Christmas and thought it would be a timely read as I will be going on a pilgrimage which will include visiting the city of Avila later this year. I have already been challenged by her deep humility;
“Thus I am only writing to my sisters, the idea that any one else could benefit from what I say would be absurd. Our Lord will be doing me a great favour if He enables me to help but one of the nuns to praise Him a little better…”.
From this place of devotion and sense of service, St Teresa wrote one of the great Christian classics and an inspiration for all who desire deeper spirituality and holiness.
You can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.
I highly value your comments and encouragement it means a lot so please do so if you enjoy what you hear, if it resonates with you or helps you in any way.
God bless you and keep you,
The Distant Spire
Footnotes and Resources
The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola
Written, Recorded and Produced by Dale A Sigley
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE) Bible
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila
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