Days 50-51 How do I Greet This Day?

As some of you may be aware, my colleagues and I recently went on a pilgrimage to Guatemala. Each morning when we met for breakfast,  someone would read a passage from Genesis 1. Then before  setting off for the day we spent time quietly reflecting on the question, "How do I greet this day?" 

We were encouraged to open our hearts and minds to see through the eyes of the people we would meet and what I saw was very beautiful. I felt as though we had traveled back in time to a simpler way of living. It seemed to me that without technology and all the accompanying distractions people were fully present to one another. It was apparent that the people of Guatemala have a  true sense of community and interdependence. They are working very hard to help each other and provide a better life for their families.

It is as if when all else is stripped away, all that is left is what really matters. Although, few people have material wealth, and most live in extreme poverty, there is an overflowing generosity of spirit.  Mother Nature provides a rich landscape of immeasurable beauty and an open invitation into communion with the Divine. 

There is something very appealing about this down to earth way of life. I was touched by the warm hospitality we received. This awakened a longing in me for a deeper, more sacred connection and intimacy with others. The people of Guatemala taught me what it means to be in a real relationship with my brothers and sisters. May I never forget.

It can be difficult to express in words our experience so I thought I would share with you this mandala I drew and these two passages from Genesis 1 .

"In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. 2. But the earth was empty and unoccupied, and darknesses were over the face of the abyss; and so the Spirit of God was brought over the waters. 3. And God said, “Let there be light.” And light became. 4. And God saw the light, that it was good; and so he divided the light from the darknesses. 5. And he called the light, ‘Day,’ and the darknesses, ‘Night.’ And it became evening and morning, one day
Then God said: “Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven. And let them divide day from night, and let them become signs, both of the seasons, and of the days and years. 15. Let them shine in the firmament of heaven and illuminate the earth.” And so it became. 16. And God made two great lights: a greater light, to rule over the day, and a lesser light, to rule over the night, along with the stars. 17. And he set them in the firmament of heaven, to give light over all the earth, 18. and to rule over the day as well as the night, and to divide light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19. And it became evening and morning, the fourth day."

With Love,

~liz Sorensen Wessel