I so often awake in the early morning, to the sound of the budgie birds who share a dwelling with me: a new day is dawning full of promise and song. They are so present to the moment and so buoyant with delight as I come to greet them. They become my teachers, their song being full of gratitude for the wonderful world we live in, not to mention their ability to fly!
I am reminded yet again of Jesuit priest, Bill Stoeger’s wise words of reflection on how the universe seems to be fine-tuned for life. Our growing understanding of Creation as a living whole, is a paradigm for our understanding that the flourishing of life with all its complexities and differences is an interdependent movement of the whole. I am also reminded that transformation is at the heart of who we are:
“For see I am doing something new; it is always already coming up over the horizon – can you not see?” (Is. 43:19)
We are invited, then, to look for the transformational moments in life: it’s all revelation; what is invisible becomes visible. We become immersed in/with the fundamental awesomeness of God. We become familiar with a particular way of seeing and knowing God that we are given a lifetime to unveil.
What a wonderful world we live in! Love is our foundation, our underpinning, our substance, our core essence. Yes, indeed, and that reality is difficult to discern given the times we live in.
Brother David Steindl-Rast, in writing about a spirit of gratitude, puts the practice of gratefulness at the heart of prayer and the most liberating way to live in joy and grace. He reminds us to entrust ourselves to life just as we entrust ourselves to water in order to swim:
“Today, this one day is given to us. It is gift and the only appropriate response is gratefulness. The invitation is to cultivate this response as if it was the first day of your life or the last day.”
These closing words are from one of my favourite poets:
We have only begun to love the earth
We have only begun to imagine the fullness of life
How could we tire of hope? So much in bud how can desire fail?
We have only begun to imagine justice and mercy.
We have only begun to know the power that is in us.
How could we tire of hope?
So much is in bud. So much is unfolding, So much unfolding that must complete its gesture.
So much, so much is in bud.
We have only begun to love the earth.
(Denise Levertov, from Candles in Babylon)
Imagine feeling our feet on this earth … Imagine being able to fly … Imagine being as present to the moment and as buoyant with delight as my bird-companions …
We have only begun …
Christina Cathro is a New Zealander and a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM). She holds an MA in Formative Spirituality from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and a Doctor of Ministry from the Toronto School of Theology.
Christina is an educator. Besides teaching, her ministry has included being RNDM novice director in New Zealand, and serving as spiritual director, retreat leader, and group facilitator in several countries. She has additionally served on both the RNDM Canadian and New Zealand Leadership Teams.
To all her involvements, Christina brings a passionate sensitivity for beauty and transformation. She carries a strong sense of the Spirit working with, in, and among us, to create a world where all of life is able to flourish.
Thank you Christina. Your Budgie bird teachers give you wonderful discoveries!
And with the release of the first photos from the Webb telescope this week, your words seem even more potent: “it’s all revelation; what is invisible becomes visible. We become immersed in/with the fundamental awesomeness of God.”
You’ve shared such a hope-filled message, Christina. And, I hear in your words also, the invitation to be open every moment I can to Love’s revelation. Thank you!