Reflection Starter from St. John Damascene

"The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God. . . . I do not worship matter. I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake, who willed to take His abode in matter, who worked out my salvation through matter. Never will I cease honoring the matter which wrought my salvation! I honor it, but not as God. Because of this I salute all remaining matter with reverence, because God has filled it with his grace and power. Through it my salvation has come to me." - Saint John Damascene, whose memory the Church celebrates today (4 December)