Dear Friends,
We pray you are safe and well. In the spirit of our philosophy of co-creating community and our awareness that the Spirit speaks through each of us, we invite you to share your meditations with us as well. We truly believe that in God’s economy of abundance, when we share our blessings, our thoughts, our feelings, we are all made richer.
Today’s meditation is Earth Prayer, a poem written by Mark Nepo sent to us by Mercy Sister Eileen McGovern, from their Mercy by the Sea Retreat House. You might be interested in the Mercy Sisters challenge to live more simply and take care of the earth. Info on this and the link to sign the pledge is below the poem.
We hope and pray that you and your loved ones experience genuine peace of mind and heart, and remain in good health during this challenging time.
May the Easter Season be a time of peace, of healing and hope, of the resurrection of joy in your life!
With our love and care,
Jean & Ron
Meditation Twenty-five: Earth Prayer Mark Nepo
Earth Prayer
O Endless Creator, Force of Life, Seat of the Unconscious,
Dharma, Atman, Ra, Qalb, Dear Center of our Love,
Christlight, Yaweh, Allah, Mawu,
Mother of the Universe...
Let us, when swimming with the stream,
become the stream...
Let us, when moving with the music,
become the music...
Let us, when rocking the wounded,
become the suffering...
Let us live deep enough
till there is only one direction...
and slow enough till there is only
the beginning of time...
and loud enough in our hearts
till there is no need to speak...
Let us live for the grace beneath all we want,
let us see it in everything and everyone,
till we admit to the mystery
that when I look deep enough into you,
I find me, and when you dare to hear my fear
in the recess of your heart, you recognize it
as your secret which you thought
no one else knew...
O let us embrace
that unexpected moment of unity
as the atom of God...
Let us have the courage
to hold each other when we break
and worship what unfolds...
O nameless spirit that is not done with us,
let us love without a net
beyond the fear of death
until the speck of peace
we guard so well
becomes the world...
How can I live gratefully and simply today?
How are my actions for Earth an expression of my faith?
How can I change my behaviors to help protect and honor Mother Earth?
Mercy Earth Challenge: Commit to a Year of Change!
April 1, 2020
By Sister Karen Donahue
As people of faith, efforts to address climate change are deeply rooted in our belief that we are all one and share kinship with all of creation. This idea was powerfully articulated by Pope Francis in his groundbreaking encyclical, Laudato Sí, On Care for Our Common Home, released on May 24, 2015.
To commemorate the 5-year anniversary, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas are launching an exciting year-long initiative to encourage our Mercy Family to do their part to care for creation: the Mercy Earth Challenge.
Launching on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day—April 22, 2020—the Mercy Earth Challenge will invite individuals throughout our Mercy Family and beyond into a year-long series of personal, communal and systemic actions throughout six distinct seasons:
- ·Earth Day – Laudato Si’ Anniversary
- ·Summer
- ·Season of Creation (September 1 – October 4)
- ·Advent (November 29 – December 24)
- ·New Year’s Resolution 2021
- ·Lent 2021 (February 17 – April 1)
As Pope Francis reminds us, “Every effort to protect and improve our world entails profound changes in ‘lifestyles, models of production and consumption, and the established structures of power which today govern societies.’” [Laudato Sí #5]
Pope Francis speaks of profound lifestyle changes that need to be made for the health of our planet. Although “profound changes” may seem intimidating, we know that our Mercy Family is up to the challenge!
As we prepare for this yearlong journey, reflect on these important questions:
- ·How can I not simply recycle, but reduce, refuse (the wasteful bag, straw, etc.) and reuse?
- ·How can I live gratefully and simply today?
- ·How are my actions for Earth an expression of my faith?
Combating the ongoing climate crisis will take each of us doing our part. The Mercy Earth Challenge is not a sprint, it’s a year-long marathon of change. Are you ready to be part of our movement?
CLICK ON THIS “SIGN-UP” BELOW TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE!!