Morning alpenglow is a fascinating phenomenon because the mountains begin to glow even though the sun - from the perspective of the observer standing below - has not yet risen; it is still beneath the horizon. In a Rocky Mountain spirituality, I find alpenglow to be a wonderful image because it speaks of the humble, self-emptied God. For it seems he is continually shining the light of his love on us, thereby allowing our own sacredness to glow in all of its glory. However, when we try to look for the "Sun" who is illuminating us, we cannot find any trace of him. With alpenglow, we could theoretically come upon the sun simply by traveling across the horizon until we encountered it. But with God, we could journey endlessly across the horizon of being in an effort to find him, yet never arrive. And yet - and here is the magic of it all - we still somehow light up and glow in the sunlight of divine love that has its source in the Sun of his mysteriously hidden presence. How amazing!
Photo: Alpenglow radiates from Medicine Bow Peak, reflected in Mirror Lake; Snowy Range, WY; August 25, 2013
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