Blessings this week and we pray you are surrounded by light and love in your life and family no matter the struggles, challenges or small joys. We remember and pray with our Muslim brothers and sisters in the holy days of Ramadan.
Our embodied Earth Prayer this week has two parts.
1. Take a walk in your yard or neighborhood, go with your children if you have any. At some point choose a stick and draw one or several hearts of gratitude in the soil or sand. In the center place a word or image for which you are grateful or love.
2. In a recent Parliament of Religions Webinar on Catholic-Buddhist climate change dialogue. Kathleen Diegnan offered a powerful presentation. One idea offered as the necessity to ground ecological action in contemplative awakening.
An Earth Examen based upon the thought of Thomas Berry as a way to move forward into a new ecological era was offered with a new fourth question. You might find this Earth examine helpful these days. While the second question comes from a Christian perspective it is possible to change the concept to fit any tradition.
1. Is my next word, thought or deed sustainable for myself and my Earth kin? Is it life-giving or does it violate myself or others in the Earth community? Will it aid the surviving and thriving of All?
2. Is my next word, thought or deed an expression of intimacy with and for all my relations in this shared household of Life? Does it help me put on the “mind of Christ”, walking the path of the non-violent Jesus? Does it aid me in cultivating the tenderness of the sacred Heart?
3. Is my next word, thought or deed celebratory of the wonder/splendor of Creation, held in the smallest thing, moment by moment?
4. Is my next word, thought or deed an expression of commitment to and solidarity with those who suffer from climate disruption and degradation? Am I a prophet of a world laboring to come?
