Immersed in thought about what I might share today, I was caught by surprise. A blessing arrives unearned, unbidden to awaken my spirit. Glorious birdsong, a capella moment, a majestic sympnony begins in revelry reaching a crescendo and then softening in the warmth of sunlight as the concert concludes. Now the occasional soloist continues to joyfully harken spring has arrived!
Ah, Mother Earth Day, a chance to reverence and celebrate her rapture, mourn her destruction and respond to the urgent call for each of us to live more simply, humbly and with keen awareness that our choices, our way of being and living is a sacred unfolding.
John Phillip Newell, Celtic Minister and author considers John Muir to truly be one of the great modern prophets of ecological consciousness. Muir believed that all matter is essentially spirit and sacred. A view that is reflective of ancient Celtic wisdom and spirituality.
What if, as Muir did, we decided to live in such a way that how we approach our relations with one another, how we care for the most vulnerable, how we care for Mother Earth is how we honor and reverence the divine within us and all around us?
This is a challenge that I aspire to embrace. I am aware that I fall short in many ways but I am reflecting on how best to honor Earth Day this year, this day, every day. Significant changes are needed and I can (and have been embracing) one change at a time and will continue to build on this.
Newell reveres, Muir as a prophet for speaking out courageously when he witnessed the desecration of nature that was unfolding in his time while also encouraging people to fall in love with the earth and to experience and touch upon the naked essence and splendor of God in nature. (Personnally, I find myself feeling closest to God when in nature.)
Newell likens the strength of Sequoia trees, not only individually but also their strength growing in relation to one another and in the intertwining of thier very roots, as how we need to respond to the urgent call for us to respond to the cry of the earth. Newell’s offers this prayer, “may we access the Sequoia strength of God that is deep within, so that we can care for the earth and care for the future of our children and grandchildren and our grandchildren's children. May John Muir's voice and vision bless us in this holy work.”
“…the care of the earth is our most ancient
and most worthy and, after all,
our most pleasing responsibility.
To cherish what remains of it,
and to foster its renewal,
is our only legitimate hope.”
-Wendell Berry
You might enjoy listening to Newell share his thoughts on Muir in this 5min. YouTube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0khHxSVwZVA
Liz Sorensen Wessel
Photo Casey Homer on Upsplash
