What was the last beautiful thing you saw? Was it the morning light as it danced across your windowpane? The face of your child or your beloved? Or the steam rising from your coffee as you reached for your favorite mug? Hold that memory for a second.

Did you know that deep down, at the essence of that very thing, is God? Bear with me for a moment.

The very depth of all things that are good, true and beautiful is God. He is Beauty. If you don’t believe me, then take a listen to today’s episode.

During Holy Week in 1962, Saint John Paul II, then Karol Wojtyla, delivered a retreat to a group of artists about the beauty of God, the ache of artists, the importance of prayer, and the Eucharist.

Originally published in Polish, this retreat was recently discovered by Dr. Christopher West, from the Theology of the Body Institute (TOBI) and translated to English. The result is the book, “God is Beauty: A Retreat on the Gospel and Art,” which contains Wojtyla’s exquisite retreat, as well as rich reflections by various artists and theologians on Wojtyla’s major themes.

Today’s guest is Bill Donaghy, Senior Lecturer and Content Specialist for the Theology of the Body Institute, and one of the authors of the book. In our conversation today we discuss:

How God uses beauty to draw us upwards to Himself

Why beauty is so important and how it will save the world

How we are God’s poetry (and what to do if we don’t feel that we are)

How to connect with God when you feel distant

I think you will thoroughly enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Reading this book changed my view for the better on who God is, who I am, and how I’m meant to view those around me. I highly recommend it, whether you think you’re an artist or not.

As Saint John Paul II said, “Not all are called to be artists in the specific sense of the term. Yet, as Genesis has it, all men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life … to make of it a work of art."

Additionally, the TOBI is also offering a discount to all listeners for this book. Use the code BEAUTY during checkout to get 20% off one or more copies of God Is Beauty from their store.

To learn more about the Theology of the Body Institute visit: https://tobinstitute.org/about-the-in....

To purchase the book visit: https://shop.corproject.com/collectio....

To connect with Valentina, visit, www.fiatcareercoaching.com.