Human consciousness is a blessing. It is what makes us human. It is what sets us apart - as far as we know - from the rest of creation on earth. However, it comes in with a built-in safeguard - for with consciousness comes an awareness of how much we can perceive but not explain - how much we can sense but not communicate - how very small we are in the vastness of space.

For some, this awareness is exciting and fires them up to investigation and wonder.

For others, it is too fearful - and they turn away and create a world of their own. All too often, this world is a world of illusion - and those who create such a world live in permanent fear that one day their world will disappear.

For those who stand on the threshold of Mystery, there is a challenge. They are challenged to look at what they do know - and what they cannot begin to comprehend - and to hold them together. They may seem to contradict each other at times - but the person who accepts this challenge finds that they can hold seeming opposites in joyful paradox.

By daring to trust to Mystery, they retain the capacity to be surprised - and delighted. They find that the knowledge they thought they had - and which seemed so solid and unchangeable - can deepen and become richer as the Mystery percolates through it and their mind -and soul - expands to receive it.

The ancient astronomers gazed into the sky - recording what they saw. If asked, they would have said that they believed that the stars were lights in the vault of heaven - for such was their understanding at the time. They learnt much about the movement of stars and planets - but knew there was more - much more than they could explain.

Astronomers in our day gaze at the same stars now - and if asked would say that they believe the stars to be suns like our own - for such is their understanding today. But for all the knowledge, they too know there is far more to be discovered - and are delighted to be surprised by new discoveries - even when that overturns preciously cherished knowledge.

In faith too, we stand on a threshold of Mystery and understanding. No-one has seen God - but somewhere deep inside every human being is a sense of something - or someone - within and beyond human knowledge.

Faced with such Mystery, many turn away and create a world without God. Others though, dare to stay on the threshold - where Mystery and Understanding meet. They allow Mystery to percolate them - expanding their minds and souls. They refuse to be limited by the words they can use to "explain" or describe - sensing new and deeper meanings of the words yet to be discovered.