Virostek 1

Chris Virostek

Mrs. Finney

Honors Religion III

23 September 2016

What the Thunder Said, Gods Presence in Creation

T.S. Elliots What the Thunder Said, was chosen because it reflects Gods

presence in creation, and how it pertains to the sacraments. Sacraments are essential

elements to everyday life, and allows Christians to better live out their faith. Jesus

instituted the sacraments to guide us and allow us to encounter God. Baptism and

Reconciliation are two sacraments that stand out in What the Thunder Said, which

through powerful imagery illustrates Gods presence in water (and how it pertains to

Baptism), Gods presence in lighting (how it represents Reconciliation), and Gods grace

that assists us and helps us grow closer to him on our journey to heaven.

Elliots poem initially describes a place where there is a desperate need for water,

Here is no water but only rock / Rock and no water and the sandy road (Elliot 10-11).

Christ built the Church upon Peter, who was named the Rock. The rock provides

foundation, but is dry and useless without water, which enlightens it and provides life and

energy. Therefore, Christ established the sacraments and sent his Spirit so that the Church

would be filled with life: the life of God. In the sacrament of Baptism, water penetrates

our dry souls, which are stained with original sin. It is through Baptism, that life is

given to us, and we begin our lives as members of Christs Church.

Throughout our daily lives, we are constantly faced with trials and tribulations

that want to pull us away from God and into evil. Elliot gives the image of an individual
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walking on a path (towards salvation), accompanied by a good spirit, and an evil spirit,

But when I look ahead up the white road / There is always another one walking beside

you / Gilding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded / But who is that on the other side of

you? (Elliot 42-44, 46). The devil is constantly posing challenges and hidden roadblocks

in attempt to make us fall away, or veer off the path of salvation. For example, Elliots

poem discusses evil through many symbolic phrases that included, who are those

hooded hordes swarming, red sullen faces sneer and snarl (Elliot 49, 23).

However, God sometimes provides actual graces, which help us overcome evil. God

wants us to receive his sanctifying grace, which are received through the sacraments. The

sacraments are by means a way of encountering God, and by receiving the sacraments

frequently, we grow in our relationships with God (making it less likely for us to

habitually sin against Him).

Elliots poem speaks of thunder, which is portrayed negatively as something that

represents suffering and pain. However, thunder is a loud and powerful voice, which can

awaken people to crawl out of their sinful lives and repent. Elliots poem speaks about

repentance through keys, We think of the key, each in his prison (Elliot 94). When

people are in jail, they often search for a key, to liberate them from prison and the

thoughts that linger over them of their wrongdoings. The reality is that everyone was born

into prison of original sin, and the only escape is through God in the sacraments. There is

no other key that will fit, or liberate us from the bondage of sin. Therefore, the sacrament

of Reconciliation enables us to wake up and recognize our sins that have offended God.

As thunder alerts and awakens, our souls are fully awakened in Reconciliation and we

genuinely repent, asking for Gods mercy (which he bestows upon us).
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In conclusion, Elliot uses profound imagery that vividly illustrates not only the

presence of the forces of evil and good, but God, who can be obtained through

sacraments such as Baptism and Reconciliation, as well as His Graces. This particular

message resonated with me, making it one of the reasons that I chose What the Thunder

Said. Sometimes Gods presence needs to be revealed in a very striking, thunderous

way to divert us from our sometimes evil, human ways. Reconciliation enables us to

examine our consciences, acknowledge the times when we fell, and improve our sinful

lives. Baptism breathes life into our souls, opening our hearts to Gods love and grace.

We know that life is filled with the snares and traps of the devil (who is on one side), but

God will always be there to accompany us on our journey to heaven. He assists us

through actual graces, and the sanctifying grace that we receive in the sacraments (which

Jesus instituted). The greater we encounter the sacraments with an open heart, the closer

we grow to God, leading us on the path towards heaven (which becomes even more

enticing).

Works Cited
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T. S. Eliot (1888-1965),"What the Thunder Said." Black Cat Poems. Black Cat Poems,

n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2016.