Caring for the Environment: A Deeply Spiritual Act

Judy Whalley

As I walked this morning in our beautiful and long awaited springtime, I was filled admiration for the Creator’s glorious handiwork. The dogwoods, azaleas, tulips and the fresh green of the newly unfurled leaves filled me with a sense of joy and awe.

No wonder we learn in Genesis that when God looked at his creation, he found it very good. Well pleased with his creation, God then blessed humankind with the responsibility to care for this lovely earth, our island home -- to act in his image and with the love that he has for creation. Thus, to my mind, caring for the environment is a deeply spiritual act.

Of Trash and Prayer

Rev. Sheila McJilton

Recently, I took advantage of the cool spring weather to do some much-needed yard work. Weeding and cleaning flowerbeds may seem to be routine; however, last year, I struggled with Lyme Disease. Without energy to work outside, weeds took root and flourished, so it was with gratitude for new energy that I tackled the yard.

I have long been informed by the Rule of St. Benedict—the ordinary life is shaped by intentional rhythms of work, study, and prayer. I am aware that my own life has not always been well balanced; however, last year’s challenges helped to correct that balance. In becoming more aware of my own physical limitations, I have paid attention to, and taken better care of myself—resting more, eating better, saying no to some things. My sense of awareness and prayer life have both deepened. I am more appreciative of the challenges folks with chronic illness have now. I also find myself so grateful to feel good again, returning to a more normal routine.

Spring Sabbatical

Anne Ridenour

The word Sabbatical has its origins in Latin sabbaticus, Greek sabbatikos and Hebrew, Shabbat, or Sabbath, referring to a time of rest from work. If I could choose a season to rest, it would be spring. Spring comes when it is ready, helped along by temperature, rainfall, and those ancient cycles we may never fully understand. One that has always fascinated me involves the woodland salamanders, ephemeral pools, and a full moon! God is everywhere in spring. From the smallest indication of life breaking through the soil, the sound of bird song in the thicket, the vision of blue skies overhead, the sudden arrival of a rain shower and the gradual greening of the landscape. It is a beautiful time of year. 

Unnatural Acts

John Beddingfield

Over the last few weeks, I’ve felt bad for all the tourists who have come to town hoping for cherry blossoms, but I’ve also enjoyed the slow-coming spring and have learned something especially from the cold, gray days of Lent. As we brushed away snow on Monday of Holy Week, it occurred to me that because I’ve spent my life on the Mid-Atlantic East Coast, at some level I tend to associate Easter with springtime. Easter Sunday seems as natural as the daffodils, hyacinths, and forsythia. In many churches, at the end of the Maundy Thursday liturgy, the Blessed Sacrament is processed to a chapel. Often, this chapel is garden-like, representing the Garden of Gethsemane where the disciples dozed while Jesus prayed and foreshadowing the garden of the tomb. At the Easter Vigil, when the lights finally come on and the Resurrection proclaimed, there are lilies and flowers all over the place. The message can be read as “The Lord is risen,” but also, “spring has come.”