Landscapes of the Sacred (1) - Kevin Covucci

In both class, and in Lane's book, Landscapes of the Sacred, we discussed the idea of the ordinary being mask's for the holy. In Landscapes of the Sacred Lane uses a quote from Moby Dick that states, "All visible objects are but as pasteboard masks. They point sacramentally to mysteries far beyond themselves." (Lane, 67) This statement really truly makes me think a lot about what exactly they may be referring to. For example are they referring to a tree in nature, on the whole it looks like just a simple tree. They are everywhere in the world and no one really thinks twice about them when they pass them in their everyday life. However, they have so much more depth to them then just that. Tree's provide shelter for birds, squirrels, and all other types of creatures that use the tree's hight and coverage as safety from the dangers of the outside world. One can also go even deeper still, tree's are the center or human existence. Without tree's ability to turn carbon monoxide into oxygen humans would be deprived of one of the vital parts of life, thus quickly making the human race extinct. However, even with that knowledge the majority of humans still will never think twice when they see a tree on their commute to work, or as they jog through the park. Tree's and wilderness are incredibly good at masking the true mysteries that they hold deep within. This topic and idea is one that I will continue to ponder and think about long after I leave this class. I hope that I will always look past the mask and explore the inner mysteries that the world holds.