Creation Spirituality is About Harmony

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Spirit Moments

ImageThe Navajo Indians lived with beauty and bounty daily. They reverenced the sacredness of everything around them. Their outlook in life was to live in harmony with this beauty, this bounty and the sacredness of their surroundings. They were aware that they came from the earth and are intimately linked with everything else that there was in it. It was with reverence and gratitude whenever they killed game for their food and their clothes. What ever they took from the Earth, they gave back. When they gathered fruits and plants for food, they would give back to Earth by scattering into the wind a holy powder which they made from the pollen of corn. They also sprinkled this same powder when they prayed to the sun and the sky to rain on their crops and make them grow.

Creation Spirituality is harmony with nature and with one another. We have but one planet for a home. We lose it and we lose ourselves for we will have no other place to live in. If we were to pollute and thrash our planet, we would destroy it and along with it, all life as we know it today. Earth, I am ceertain, will be able to regenerate itself and bring forth life again and perhaps a new breed of lifeforms that would be more aware, more appreciative and more responsible for the harmony that makes all life possible on earth.

Let everything that is alive grow. And let the Lord of the Harvest decide what happens to everyone and everything at the time of the harvest.

But he replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
Matthew 13:24-30

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Creation Spirituality in Practice

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Spirit Moments

I see Creation Spirituality very much alive among native American Indians. They are totally one with nature. They see their surroundings alive with the same vivifying principle  that keeps them in existence. They see the desert and everything that is in it, full of beauty and bounty, as a living entity. They see the same life-giving principle alive in the rivers that bring them water and keep them alive and clean, giving life as well to their livestock and their crops. The mountains, that give them shelter and food and protect them from the harsh elements, are but mirrors of the awesomeness and grandeur of the source of all this life. When they have to kill game animals, they do so almost in reverence for the life that they are sacrificing so that they may have life sustenance.

In contrast, modern man is so enamored by his own achievements. He has built great cities with skyscrapers that rival the grandeur of natural canyons. And these buildings are more functional and totally under his control. Man can warm them up or cool them down as he pleases with his weather control technology. He is in control and starts believing he is god. When he kills, it is often out of greed or to control and subjugate others. Instead of being the creature, he sees himself as the creator and forgets about the real Creator.

Life is not about lording it over others but in loving one other. Life does not sort people out into the great ones and the small ones but equal sharers of the same life force, each one according to his uniqueness. We are all the same and yet there will never be another one like me. There is one Source and Creator of all life and we all mirror Him in our very existence.

When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’
Matthew 20:20-28

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Creation Spirituality

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Spirit Moments

ImageBy the sweat of his brow, man shall eat. Thus, unless he reaps, he does not eat. Unless he sows he does not reap. Unless he learns, he does not earn. One of the things he must learn is that he reaps what he sows. Thus, to get a good harvest man must sow good seeds on good soil and give his crop good care.

And yet, there are things in nature that simply happen even without man’s laboring for them. The desert for all its aridity and dryness blooms in beauty and bounty totally unattended by man. Life flourishes in the most unexpected places, specially those untouched by man. In fact, the beauty and bounty in nature are often marred and destroyed by man’s profligacy, like when he sows pollution man reaps destruction.

Any spirituality for our times will need as its necessary component a deep love and understanding of nature and the environment. This is Creation Spirituality.

And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’
Matthew 13:1-9

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The Cycle and the Chain of Life

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Spirit Moments

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We have been in two desert places in the past two days: the Saguaro National Park and the White Sands national Monument. Both places are hot and dry. But in spite of the dryness and desolation, the deserts were teeming with all kinds of life. The cycle of life goes on unrelenting and linked to one another in one living chain.

It starts millions of miles away with the sun sending forth tremendous amount of energy into space. Aided with the cycles of the seasons, the plants and the trees in the desert catch this energy and grow leaves and bear fruits. All sorts of insects and tiny creatures live on the branches and leaves. Herbivores get their share of the sun’s energy, feasting on the leaves and the fruits. Carnivores in turn eat the herbivores and the insects to get the energy and the fuel they need to live. Destroy one link in this chain and the whole chain is compromised. We see this happening all throughout nature and the environment today.

I saw this happening under the Saguaro tree. The Saguaro soaks in the energy from the sun and captures in its trunks, branches and blooms. Insects and bugs feast on its leaves, eating the pollen and nectar of its flowers. Spiders lay out their webs to catch the flying bugs for their food. Even in the desert their is plenty for spiders eats twice their weight in the bugs they catch. Wasps sting the tarantula and lay their eggs on the immobilized arachnid. The larvae of the wasps when they hatch feed on the remains of the tarantula. The wasps become food for birds and the woodpeckers who bore holes into the Saguaro’s trunk to build their nests and tend their nestlings – if they do not end up being dinner for snakes and rodents which themselves often whet up the appetites of the former. Birds, snakes, rodents are food for the bigger predators like the coyotes.

I see the same cycle and chain in my spiritual life. There are seasons: a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, a time to sow, a time to laugh , a time to cry, a time to for desolation, a time for consolation. I get my spiritual energy feeding on the body and blood of Christ, whose meat it is to do the will of the father.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
John 15:1-8

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Ora et Labora

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Spirit Moments

Today is the feast day of Mary Magdalene, sister of Martha and Lazarus, a former public sinner, converted by Christ to be one of his devoted disciples with rumors of her being his sweetheart, she of whom the Lord said: “Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus was obviously very close to this family who lived in Bethany. He raised Lazarus from the dead, whom he loved very much. He loved Martha who always had something to eat for him. He enjoyed the ministrations of Mary who would always fuss over him. I remember Fr. Green telling us how Mary had chosen the better part.

Often, in our relationship with God, we try to transform Him into our own image and likeness. We try to do things we want and pretend this is God’s will for us. Martha was busy cooking a grand meal for Jesus when He came visiting. Perhaps all he wanted a simple sandwich, rest his weary feet, just talk and simply be with friends. In contrast Mary just stayed with the Jesus, listening to his story while sitting at his feet.

We seek a sign from God and the only sign we get is the signature of his presence: in nature, in others, and in ourselves. How do we see signs of that presence? In my life, I have encountered that His presence first in prayer. Like Mary, I sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to what the Lord is telling me. I have to set aside the worries and the hustle and bustle of daily living and in the silence and quiet, let Him come into my life. Then, I have also encountered Him in the work that I do. Like Martha, I am engaged and become pretty busy in the grind of daily living. 

The path to holiness that St. Benedict taught us is this: Ora et Labora. Pray and Work. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (i.e. prayer) and all these things will be added unto you (i.e work).

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth.’
Matthew 12:38-42

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These are summer blooms from my little garden. From the earliest days of our marriage, Anabelle always had fresh flowers at home. Nothing makes a home more beautiful and feel more homey than fresh flowers. And nothing says ‘Welcome’ more eloquently to friends and families coming to visit. Our home in Filinvest was designed to receive, welcome and entertain people. We have had many family gatherings and celebrations there. We have welcomed and entertained many of our friends there as well.

I was born and raised in a family that loved to celebrate and entertain people. I remember fiestas and special occasions were always 2-3 day affairs. The excitement of the preparations was matched by the thrill of having people at home and even by the big clean up afterwards. Even as a young boy, I knew how to help in preparing the food, like butchering and cleaning a pig, killing and cutting up chicken, cleaning and slicing up fish, and even skinning and preparing frog’s meat. Like most men from our province, I can cook.

I guess there is bit of both Martha and Mary in our family. Being Martha is about all the excitement of cleaning up, the cooking and the preparations, including making sure there are fresh flowers, for visits by family and friends. Being Mary is about all the thrill of welcoming people into our home, exchanging stories, catching up with one another and, most specially, sharing food. It is fun being both Mary and Martha. Being Martha is making a house into a home. And being Mary is welcoming friends and family into the home with love.

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Spirit Moments | Comments Off on Home is Where the Heart Is

Missing Out On the Obvious

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Spirit Moments

I can often be so dense and insensitive that I miss out on cues and meanings that are staring me right in the face. Bebet, a very dear friend whose birthday it is today, must have been telling a lot of precious things about herself which I totally missed because I was too full of myself. I am now certain that ARAB had been challenging me several times to move in certain directions which I did not get because I was too preoccupied with my own ideas and projects. JLC must have also been sending me signals on how we can work together better but I was not familiar with the language and cues they use in his old-boys network. How may loving and tender gestures I have missed from Anabelle because I expected to be loved and cared for according to my expectations.

I woke up to another glorious sunrise this morning. Do I truly believe that God made it happen just for me. I have countless moments of joy with Jonathan and Jane. Do I even realize that God is smiling because it takes to little to make me so happy. I live from day to day, most of the time doing things that are routine and ordinary. I know God is with me every step of the way in my journey. Do I at times wonder that I am even on this road? He has shown me great wonders and I am filled with awe. What else will he be keeping in store for me further down the road?

Christ did His works of wonder and freely gave out his blessings. That is why many crowds followed him. But they did not see Him for who He really is. Only the handful that were His disciples truly saw Him for who He really is. They truly believed in Him and followed His call. Like the disciples, I really want to see, know, love and serve Him. I will proclaim Him in my words and in my deeds.

Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
Matthew 12:14-21

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He Who Made the Universe Also Fashioned the Human Heart

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Spirit Moments

Laws and regulations are a necessary component of the social contract that enables people to live together in peace and harmony. But sometimes, there are laws that contradict and there are regulations that contravene other rules. Then there are principles, morals and values which are quite different from laws. No everything legal is always moral. What is moral can sometimes be illegal. Thus, man is often trapped in a morass of legalities or or caught in a moral quicksand.

I believe in the sanctity of human life. Life is a precious gift that has been given to us undeserved. Because life was given to us, it can be taken back only by the giver, not by the recipient. To save and preserve life trumps all other reasons for action, be these moral or legal considerations.

Because others are also gifted with this sacred gift of life, the appropriate respect and dignity are due them. I should honor and preserve this sacred gift in others, sometimes to the point of even being willing to put my own at risk. I should also respect and honor life as it takes on different living forms in nature, here on earth.

These basic principles are self-evident and can be found in all the religions and philosophies of men. But things get complicated when men get into the hustle and bustle of daily living. Our hands would want to do anything and everything that they can do. Our heads would want to try anything they can imagine. Our hearts long for things our own minds cannot comprehend. And somehow, we all long to live forever.

In the midst of all the darkness and confusion, a light shines to show us the way. Something greater than the temple is here. The source of this sacred gift of life came to join us in our humanity and teach us that mercy trumps sacrifice anytime, that life is stronger than death, that light will overcome the darkness. For some, this is hard saying. But it is no harder than what scientists believe such as parallel universes, Higgs bosons, dark matter and dark energy or even the Big Bang. But which is easier to say: “Love one another.” or “Let there be light.”?

“I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:1-8

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An Early Morning Walk

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Spirit Moments

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Life can often be dark and sometimes dreary
And life’s journey at times just makes me weary
In good times, I enjoy having people around me
But in bad times, I can do without their pity.

I’d rather go for a long silent walk in nature
And there my bruised ego to nourish and nurture
Perhaps to hear some words of consolation
And in the quiet, clear my heart of its desolation.

I love to linger under the shade of a tree
And there be grateful for all who sheltered me
Or, to sit and listen by  a murmuring brook
And give all the beauty around me another look

It is restful here and I can put down my burden
Feel my shoulders from the weariness unladen
It is not I do not want to do my share in living
But there are times I feel I have nothing else for giving.

He promised me an easy yoke and a burden light
Like this refreshing forest path before my sight
A fresh sweet smelling breeze upon my face
It is easy to feel His presence within this place

I know that life is hard and it can be tough
People do care but they can also be rough
And when I feel down or like I am being put to a test
I just open up and listen: “Come and I will give you rest.”

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

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Love and Wisdom . . . . from the mouth of babes!

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Spirit Moments

Even before an infant can talk, it can already express a whole gamut of feelings and emotions. Without any intelligible words and with only gurgling and babbling sounds, an infant can express joy and happiness, sadness and disappointment. We know when it is feeling pain and discomfort or when it is happy and contented. In fact, it is through its feelings and emotions that an infant communicates with the world and people around it.

No infant is born with hatred or even anger in its heart. No infant is born ever envious of other infants nor covetous of what others have. These feelings and emotions are learned. And they are learned very much later in an infant’s life. Often, they are caught from and taught by the environment the infant grows up in. If that is the case, then we also can learn back what we have lost growing up. We can learn to be happy and joyful again, perhaps given to pain and disappointment at times, to hurts and feelings of being left alone, but always loving and grateful for being alive.

As infant grows up to be a child, it discovers imagination before it learns to reason. Imagination is about possibilities and potentials. It is also about colors and sounds, about tastes and smells. It does not need a reason for something to exist. Children have imaginary friends that adults do not see nor even understand. Children live in imaginary worlds of which adults have totally no inkling. A child sees all the awe and wonder in this world that adults miss and fail to see because of their cynicism and apathy. Out of this world of awe and wonder, children speak out truths and wisdom that often confound even the smartest among adults.

But all too soon imagination gives way to reason and reality. Children are told not to this and not to go there. All to soon, wings are clipped and wisdom and creativity are stunted. We grow into adulthood and maturity and all the fun is taken out of living. As infants, we were born full of love and caring, gifted with imagination and limitless potentials and possibilities. We grow up into adults and these things become hidden from us. We lose the best parts of ourselves in the process. We have to rediscover and nurture the child within us.

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”
Matthew 11:25-27

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