Living Sparks

She sparkled. It was as if this little girl was a disco ball that reflected light in all directions. Her shiny dress illuminated the dark wooden pews as the sun’s rays came through the stained glass window just right and caught those ridiculously shiny silver sequins. I couldn’t help but gaze at the display, mesmerized and smiling, as we sang the opening song at Mass. With every movement, every turning of her squirrelly body, she reflected this light onto everyone surrounding her family as the lights spun around playfully. 

I would have loved wearing that dress as a little girl. And I can only imagine the bemusement of the parents when their daughter came out wearing her best dress for church. Little did they know it would prompt me to think of God.

In this setting, I thought of the divine spark. St. Hildegard of Bingen (d. 1179), a Doctor of the Church, received mystical visions beginning at 3 years old that led her to see all people as “living sparks” of God’s love. As we believe that all people are created by God, then God’s imprint would indeed be within each soul. To think of myself and others as “living sparks” of God’s love changes how I see myself and others, especially the little girl with the sequin dress. 

Sometimes these “living sparks” catch us by surprise. The short handwritten note from a dear friend I have not seen in ages lifted my spirits and encouraged me yesterday. Just a bit of divine spark sitting in an envelope on my counter speaking to me of God’s love. May you, too, encounter a “living spark” today.