Back in July 2022 I wrote a blog about the wonder and delight of my two budgies. Last month I took Beautiful Boy to the vet. He had a bleeding wing. After examination the vet gave me the shocking news that Beautiful Boy had inoperable cancer and would need to be put to sleep. I was stunned. I had not heard of birds having cancer. The vet informed me that it is becoming a more common occurrence; this led to a discussion about our increased use of pesticides: insect repellent, fly spray in our homes and more harmful still, the pesticides we use in our soil.
The planet earth and the entire cosmos are graced. Sallie McFague speaks of the world as the body of God.1 Our world reverberates with divine life which is continually creating, continually “life-ing” within the rhythm of creation. Within this created domain, God is alive, active and palpably present. We live and move and have our being in an intricate and interdependent web of relationships and connections woven with divine energy.
As we cooperate with this divine energy we become co-responsible for the unfolding growth and transformation of our earth community.
“We both depend on the web of life for our own continued existence and in a special way we are responsible for it, for we alone know, that life is interrelated and we alone know how to destroy it. It is an awesome and unsettling thought.”2
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.
I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet budgie. Unfortunately it is becoming more common. The same thing happened with one of my budgies last year. Birds are so susceptible to pollution of all kinds, and it’s heartbreaking.
My condolences on the death of your dear bird. Out of this difficult experience, thank you for sharing your insight that “Our world reverberates with divine life which is continually creating, continually “life-ing” within the rhythm of creation.”
Christina, I’m so sorry. This is such sad news on so many levels. It is “awesome and unsettling” to know how much our actions affect others in this great web of life. Your reflection about your Beautiful Boy reminds me once again to take extra care in the garden.