Beauty of Spring

The beauty of spring gives so many people joy and delight as we see the vibrant colors and interesting textures in the plants that bloom. I'm not a gardener myself, but I do enjoy the result of others' labors who do enjoy it. Here are a few photos I made while at SSJD the other day, walking around the grounds, captivated by the work of the sisters and the gardeners who work there.

In particular, I enjoy getting up close as in the macro shot of the center of the orange flower. You can see the lines of the petals and the symmetry of the seeds in the center. Everything is perfect as God created it to be.

The second image is spindly. I don't even know for sure what it is. The fine thread like image looks so creative; a piece of art with God as the artist.

I have always loved peonies. They remind me of my grandmother who had many of them in her gardens when I was growing up. And the smell is wonderful too! My only regret is that they don't last very long. But I'll enjoy their beauty for as long as I can.

And finally, I think this last photo is a flower coming out in bloom. The sun is shining vibrantly in the center, surrounded by a ring of fire. And the texture has a rugged quality to it. 

The magnificence of God's glory revealed through the flowers in our gardens is overwhelming. I read this quote ... "looking at beauty in the world, is the first step of purifying the mind." That's so true in my own experience. And this quote as well resonates with me ... "Nature is one of God's beautiful creations. Through nature, God is able to teach us, speak to us, and provide for us. For this reason, we can find in scripture that we humans are called to protect all which is of He has created. Use these Bible verses for a better understanding."

I thank God for those who tend the gardens whether it be in their front yards, parks, hospitals, libraries or at places like SSJD. Whether it's walking through my neighborhood or in the public places of my community or the grounds of the sisters, they all become holy and sacred through the nurturing and tending of beautiful gardens that invite me to see and recognize the glory of God.

In closing, I share this poem by Robert Frost ...

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

To which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends he will,

But which it only needs that we fulfill.

Bounteous harvest ...

Yesterday I spent some time at one of the local farmer's markets. There is such a bounty of fruits and vegetables that are colorful, with different textures and tantalize the taste buds.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. As one who enjoys cooking, I'm able to eat things that were grown locally. There is a freshness that adds to the delicious taste. As a photographer, the colors are so vibrant and inviting.

And of course, there is the spirituality of remembering with gratitude all that God blesses us with. I also enjoy the anticipation of what harvest is yet to come over the coming months. The local strawberries are out; the field tomatoes are yet to come. Delicious!! And all gifts from God!! 

As I drive around the area, it grieves me that so much of our farmland is being redeveloped into subdivisions and strip plazas and condominiums. I think we'll be sorry for that someday. I only pray that we will preserve some of the farmland for future generations. 

I encourage each of us to head out to a farmer's market and offer support by purchasing local produce. You won't regret it!!

Loving the World: Photography as Spiritual Practice

This past week I had the privilege of learning from Paul Kimmerling at a retreat held at the Order of the Holy Cross in West Park, New York. It re-enlivened in me my love of photography and the discipline of looking for and find the sacred and holy through the lens of my camera. The passion has always been there; but it had gone somewhat dormant. I had forgotten how much life, spirit and energy I get when I go out and "make" photographs of what I feel, see and experience. Thank you Paul for that!!

And what a glorious sacred and holy space to rekindle the passion and discipline of photography and spirituality. The monastery itself is so full of images that engage from the icons to the porch with rocking chairs to the cloister to the grounds to the shore of the Hudson River. There's no end of the ways to be drawn into an experience of the holiness and sacredness of God.

The question that always the hardest ... of the just over 300 images that I have ... which ones to share.

I was drawn with a desire to sit on this bench. As well as the stunning sunrise behind it, there was an equally amazing view of the sunset in the other direction too. What impressed me, though, was the invitation to come and sit; to take the time to stop and enjoy this moment; and to receive the grace that God was offering in the gift of a new day and the glorious colors painted in the sky. This was an excellent way to begin my retreat time. And the days that followed, although I didn't get up again to greet the rising sun, brought invitations to similar moments of holiness and beauty.

Celebrating the Eucharist is so central to my own spirituality. All is now prepared; the credence table is set; the wine and water is poured. Now to wait with anticipation for the words of blessing; "This is my body"; "This is my blood". This sacrament of Christ's living presence that is tangible and real provides such comfort and grace beyond what I can imagine. It's more than ritual; it is communion with God and with each other gathered around the table and with the whole body of Christ. Truly I experience is as a gift for which I am grateful to receive. 

The Holy Spirit is always with us as Jesus promised she would be. One thing I entered into this retreat with was a desire for discernment; that God would speak words of wisdom and encouragement about my faith, vocation and ministry. I experienced that in so many ways. This image, though, really struck me. I call it my "Burning Bush"; just like what Moses experienced. God spoke to him; and I believe that God spoke to me too through images, individuals I had conversations with, worship and in the stillness and quiet too. 

As a regular part of my personal spiritual rhythm, I hope to share again more regularly in this forum. 

Baptism ... Unity ... The Cross

"Baptism ... Unity ... The Cross!"

This past week at SSJD, I was able to make photographs of the font, their candle on the altar burning for unity and the crucifix at the front of the chapel. As I looked at these photos, I was struck about the truth that through our baptism we commit to work where we can for unity and that unity is found only in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Each time I go into the chapel at the convent, I dip my finger in the water provided and make the sign of the cross on my forehead. Through that simple action, I am reminded that through my baptism I am part of the body of Christ; I claim my baptism and recommit myself to a desire to live out the covenant of baptism between God and I. Sometimes I have taken one of the stones in the bottom and kept it with me in my pocket as a reminder of who I am and whose I am and what that means for my life, faith and ministry. A simple act that has a deeper meaning.

On Thursdays through the year, and throughout the whole of this past week, there is a candle that burns on the altar of the chapel as a reminder that we are praying especially for the unity of all Christians. Sometimes that unity is compromised; there can be barriers to being in communion with each other; we may be frustrated and experience brokenness in our relationship with others who follow Christ as we do. And yet, as Jesus prayed, so too it is our prayer ... that we may be one as He and God are one. We need to be intentional about being united to one another through the sacrament of our baptisms. That needs to always be our prayer and our hope as part of the body of Christ.

Ultimately, our unity comes through our belief in who Jesus is and the place Jesus has in our lives and in our faith. Jesus death on the cross, leading up to the joy and promise of the empty tomb of Easter morning, is the center of what binds us together. The Christ who died that we may have life and rose again that we may have hope unites us together wherever we are from, whatever our various interpretations of scripture, whatever our liturgical preferences, whatever our opinions about this issue or that issue. That is indeed a blessing. As we gaze up at Jesus on the cross, may we know ourselves to be baptized into that wonderful and sacred mystery, the body of Christ.

Thanks be to God!! Pray for the unity of the church. Amen!!