Pastoral Pearls: A common starting point...
Is this world in which we are living? Creation retains its beauty which fills us with awe and it remains a good work. But there is also “violence, division, disagreement, war.” This occurs when Man (humans), the summit of creation, stops contemplating beauty and goodness, and withdraws into its own selfishness. ~ Pope Francis from 365 Daily Meditations with Pope Francis, April 16
That is always a question I have – how can there be such magnificent beauty and such horrific violence and division side by side in our world? I cringe when I hear of or see all the division – “I am right? Or I am better?” And disagreement – “we can’t see I to eye, therefore I won’t see you at all." And violence – “words no longer work, so I must act out my disapproval or anger” war – “what are we really fighting for? Or against?” I can see this in the world around me – and it hurts - but can I see this in myself as well at times?
What I do know is that I often choose to escape to nature. Mother Nature, God’s awesome creation, can help calm me down in the face of such ugliness, but also help me to go inside myself to reflect upon how, on my own little level, I might actually be doing these same things. Where am I being selfish? How am I, too, committing even minor acts of violence (hurting someone in some way), causing division (feeing I need to be right or better than someone else), disagreeing with someone or being contrary, fighting with someone? It’s so much easier seeing all this negativity as in the world out there rather than beginning with me.
But, if I take the time to escape into nature, I become grounded again in all of the goodness that God created and that God wants me to take care of and perpetuate. Most everyone, when given the chance and taking the time, can see the beauty and awe of creation. Maybe it’s a common starting point, something that can tie us together rather than divide us.
You don’t have to ask me twice to go take a hike! I need that grounding feeling! I feel so content and peaceful and powerful when I contemplate God’s beauty and goodness. And I remember my husband recently coaxing me into the car when I felt it was too windy and cold to hike, and he took me on a scenic drive that felt like a driving hike. Either way, it allows me to step outside myself and focus on the big picture, God’s creation, and I am once again filled with awe, and peace, and contentment.
Loving God,
May I always look to your creation for reflection, grounding, peace, contentment and renewal of spirit.
Let me not slip into selfishness that keeps me from seeing the bigger picture of your creation and the great love it stands for.
Bless my hikes, my scenic drives, my biking which return me to your Awesome presence in our flawed world.
~ Amen