Daily Reflections
by Al Fritsch, S.J.

Frost formations on chilly Kentucky morning.
(*photo credit)

December 1, 2024                                 Waiting with Patience

God's love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his
only Son so that we could have life through him.        (I John 4:9)

            In December we look over where we have come from and without losing our pace we look ahead to where we are going.  Yes it is a balancing act and worth a reflection in itself.  Like Mary on the road to Bethlehem, we are bringing forth the hidden Christ to a world looking for love.  Thus we relive Christmas both in childlike terms to recapture the spirit of simplicity, and in more adult terms to find how we can be change agents in troubled times.

            As successful Earthhealers we are to be other christs and form a union of divine and human characteristics.  Let's visit and meet with those who are in need of our caregiving.  Sensitivity is our immediate Advent goal; we pray for the spirit of compassion so that all healers can be truly efficacious.  We are not perfect at this and so must tame our impulse to be active with the patience it takes to survey the entire situation.  We cannot afford to allow the complacent to dictate inaction as a greater norm, for all must do their individual parts.   

            The spirit of the season includes the use of all our senses in preparing for celebration.  Nature has a way of adding to the rhythms of the time -- in both faint and dramatic ways.  We have to recognize each and bring joy to others, for sharing what we have is the key to this season.  Some creativity is demanded during the year, but never to such a degree as in December, since many words have been spoken and every conceivable type of material gift given.  However, many hunger not for novelty but for simple gifts of love. 

            Lastly, the humble hug becomes the experience that all need and few ask for except in extreme circumstances.  Today in this troubled world and in this starting period of winter, the hug means so much to those who are out in the cold; for some it is a warm place to spend the night.  Our Earth needs to be hugged but our arm's span is far too short, unless we unite with all other peoples.  Then we can reach around the planet.  The paradox is that one might expect that with time the culmination of an Eco-Spirituality is more on a rational plane and less on an emotional or experiential one.  Ironically, rationalists now discover that being closer to Earth makes the experiential all the more vivid, raises new questions and demands new inquiry.  

           December concludes a yearly pilgrimage and includes the pause and rest before launching on the next leg of the journey that will end in life everlasting.  Review, testing ourselves and resolution all combine into one during this blessed season.  We are slow to see the complete picture, weak at perfectly testing ourselves and lacking in total resolve.  Even amid this we are empowered by the Lord to confront the powers of evil and ultimately win.  

A Plea to Church leaders
By Frl Al Fritsch, SJ

          The science makes it clear that we must phase out fossil fuels, and quickly.  Time is running out and as the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation worsen, there is growing recognition that our political and industry leaders are failing us.  If the science doesn’t convince, what role could – or should – faith leaders play in tackling the climate crisis?  After all, it is also a spiritual and moral crisis that threatens God’s creation, according to many religious teachings.  Where are the Prosperity Christians who agree on pro-life issues?  Are faith leaders willing to risk losing donations from wealthier climate change deniers?   

          You who are prosperity religion leaders are obviously smart and materially successful.  Do you dare attack Big Energy and the large profits that demand extending the highly federally subsidized fossil fuel economy to as long as possible -- much like Big Tobacco did for several decades in the 20th century?  Would you dare to offend the Koch Brothers or those shadow wealthy folks who furnish you with fast vehicles and high priced wrist watches?  To continue support of the status quo and allow the damage to our planet on which all life depends is the purest and clearest act of the culture of death.  And you remain silent!  How dare you?

          I challenge you to mention to wealthy donors the major issue of our globe's viability.  Though this may go against your selected evangelistic or fundamentalist principles, it may bring you to the arena of the true prophet with all the risks and the loss of desired privilege.  Choose life, for God's sake, and life means the life of this planet.  Don't become a covey of sycophants.  Conservative Nationalism is on the rise so use this ascendancy well.  I do not envy your position for I am virtually immobile and in old age do not have the energy to change the national mindset - but you might be able to.  U.S. environmental leadership is utterly needed, something that states and local governments attempt but cannot do alone.  As a major polluter, the U.S. has a moral obligation to support curbing greenhouse gases and avoid potential catastrophe.

          Many saints, activists and religious leaders have called on their faith to inspire care for the Earth.  If you are a religious community leader, then please act as such and engage in the singular issue of our time, so needed to save our threatened Earth.  You can make a difference through moral persuasion.  Planetary life is at stake, and pro-lifers should be in the forefront of this environmental crisis.   

Winding eastern Montana road.
(*photo credit)

December 2, 2024                       Seeing God on Our Evolving Journey

            If you read my words, you will have some idea of the depths that I see in the mystery of Christ.  This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations.                                 (Ephesians 3:4-5)

            My ordination prayer card from Abbey Press says, "Faith is seeing the brilliant countenance of Christ looking up at us from every creature."  The author is unmentioned, but the quotation has always offered me a challenge.  Do I see this countenance on my journey of faith?  Must I look ahead to the end and focus only on spiritual growth?  Or do I look about on the Journey and discover God in the social world around us?  Is perceiving the presence of God in all creation a goal, a gift, a hope and an invitation? 
 
            We all grow in our awareness and this is a lifetime endeavor.  Just as Christ grew in age and wisdom (Luke's Gospel), and just as the Church grew in understanding of herself and her mission (Acts of the Apostles), so believes grow in our journey of faith through maturation and growth in consciousness.  Amazingly, social awareness is the first of the components perceived by those within a formal community of believers; a maturing sense of our goals with others as we confront our personal mortality and a destiny ahead; this becomes a commons in itself. 

            We strive to see God when becoming aware of our local needs; we see the urgency to respond to needs in a finite span of time enlightened through faith.  Just as we become aware of that end towards which we are converging, we are all the more aware that others travel much the same road and so we assist them when and where possible.  We see each of them as another christ and in doing this we feel God's presence.  Awareness of our end and that we socially go there together is a double awareness, a growth of consciousness of end (telos) through our social awareness.  Overconcern with self lacks a social dimension; overconcern of other without seeing ourselves as needing self-control is equally lacking.  The two must be balanced and work in tandem.

            We are aware of ourselves and our location at this time, an ecological awareness of being HERE.  We are aware of the need to act and save our troubled Earth, a teleological awareness to do this NOW.  I simply cannot do this alone but need the collaboration of hopefully all others of good will, a social awareness of WE.  But still more is in store.  Believers are becoming aware of our social addictions that call to a Higher Power for help.  We need God, the "Mystery beyond" now becoming present as a Mystery within.  God has not traveled; I have journeyed.  God is here but my imperfections create distances.  This is an emerging awareness that subsumes all others, a pervasive and enlivening atmosphere of Presence, a re-presentation.  The HERE is truly ecological and growing in godliness as we mature.  We are present to God because God is always present to us; this takes time to perceive; so does the need to be social and see God in others as well. 

Hills of Appalachia. Harlan Co., KY.
(*photo credit)

December 3, 2024                     Finding God in All Things over Time

            It means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Christ Jesus, through the gospel.
(Ephesians 3:6)

            In a passive way, some people may be tempted to await the coming of the Lord in blissful lethargy; they ask "Why work if God is soon coming?"  St. Paul confronts this false notion in his Letters to the Thessalonians.  However, we must not sit idly by and expect things will be done for us, as though we are privileged nobles.  Through our own creative activity, we find God's Presence in other creatures: plants and animals and heavenly bodies all around us.  Through our human struggles and weaknesses we discover Divine love and mercy manifested through covenants and rainbows, prophets and, in the fullness of time, a Messiah. These activities involve a reverential attitude towards all creation -- an atmosphere needed for spiritual growth; without this reverence we suffocate; through humble work our reverence grows.

            We focus on the person of Christ in whom all creatures have their being (Colossians 1:16), for here is the fullness of one whom we can see and strive to follow.  In seeking God in all things we search in the hidden recesses of Earth and find a treasure of the Kingdom -- the priceless pearl.  We open our eyes, follow the Spirit's prompting, and search about; we find God again and again; each finding is connected in some mysterious way to another and another, so that the total process becomes part of the divine flavor experienced in discovery.  Actually, it is more like learning to cook than like treasure-seeking: each edible ingredient becomes not the only jewel but a priceless spice when blended.  We connect place A with place B, person A with person B.  As biological catalysts we become effective when we fit into certain vital notches and, through this fitting, we see a whole emerging.  We connect points and through proper timing, we effect change.

            Timing is of the essence, lest the catalytic joining of essential parts does not occur (Read about biological catalysts).  Now as the acceptable time to catalyze means that we have a place in Salvation History.  Jesus freely accepted his mission of healing and teaching, suffering and dying; from the Calvary event springs a ray of liberation that reaches out and embraces us all where we are.  Earth becomes holy in the blood of Christ -- and thus Holy Land is Holy Planet.  Place becomes consecrated when we enter in with Christ and accept our role as suffering servant.  In a period of gratitude we realize that God has privileged us to be HERE and NOW at this place and during these troubled times.

             However, while aging we become more conscious of limited time and the need to rest.  Physical energy gradually wanes, but our growth in spiritual consciousness can grow over time.  Our journey has an urgent temporal dimension; we find new horizons that involve place and time.  The future has a twofold reality: we accept inevitable aging and bodily diminishment; and we discover our future through spiritual growth.  And God is over it all. 

Red fox family (Vulpes vulpes), Montana.
(*photo credit)

December 4, 2024                  Discovering Eco-Spirituality Inherently Social

            God's healing power goes out to all the world through us as inspired and believing agents of change.  We gradually become aware of our emerging place and our limited time; we learn to forgive and to share in Salvation History.  We grow in awareness of the Divine Presence as we become aware of our end that lies ahead and our community with others who help us in our journey and to whom we break away from our selfishness and become more social. And this interrelationship grows as the consciousness of God's Presence emerges.  HERE centers and focuses our direction; NOW extends it out in a ray to a distant end point (beyond the horizon) when we join with the Lord.  WE becomes the field in which we operate and move in this world in "The Temple of the Holy Spirit."  Proper direction is the vector pointed to the end and ordered to our social milieu.  Improper direction is to neglect or overemphasize one or other of these components of our journey of faith; it is a detour and causes us to waste valuable time.

            Discovering God's presence in others is a mystical experience.  If God is to be found in all things, our search should focus on those who are created most to God's image and likeness: our fellow human beings.  We see our neighbors' talents for what they are, not through envious eyes, but as welcome gifts from the Divine Source.  As gifts these are worthy of gratitude.  They remind us that our journey to God is a social as well as personal one.  Our searching together becomes an act of love -- of both God and neighbor -- and thus bears the imprint of the basic Christian public testimony: "See how they love one another."  And love is wrapped in mystery so that, by seeking to find God in others, we experience a foretaste of the ultimate experience of Mystery.

            This experience can be highly fruitful, for God invites us through others to become doubly creative: we discover God's creativity in the uniqueness of ourselves; and we are encouraged to assist others to grow in creativity as well, and thus we grow together in appreciating the gifts given to them.  Self-centeredness gives way to social centeredness.  At this stage it is well for us to do a self-examination as to relations with others.  Are we willing to offer prayers for their needs?  Are we compassionate?   Do we work together with them through democratic process to better our world?  Do we petition for better government in league with like-minded citizens?

            To some degree this social interaction extends beyond the human realm and includes all creation, because God is everywhere.  Awareness of God's presence grows with our expansion of solidarity.  People are correct in saying they find God in nature, but how inclusive is their "nature?"  In another sense, they are selfish, if they regard their individual quest as sufficient, and not shared within an emerging believing community.  Earthhealing is inherently social as is any authentic Eco-Spirituality, and thus a quest that is not shared with other people in some manner lacks the Earthhealing power we all must exercise at this critical time.

Bear Glacier Panorama, near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada.
(*photo credit)

December 5, 2024                    Rendering a Time for Everything

            There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

            We can sense when we are needed -- and now is the time to join forces with others of good will and see that our joining and our awareness of moving together towards a common end allows us to discover the Divine Presence needed to overcome our addictions. 

            Some people like diagrams more than others.  Bear with us now as we do what has never before been done in Daily Reflections.  We present a diagram as to the presence of the HERE, NOW and WE in a plan that is both socially-oriented and ends- (teleologically) oriented.  Our growth in consciousness involves specific place (our current stance), time (the present moment), and creatures (human and other) in our support community. 

            Through the eyes of faith we see that our Eco-Spiritual search is directed to finding God as a terminus of our restlessness -- and this we do best when working with others in a grand process of collaboration.  What we have not yet reached, impels us forward and stimulates our enthusiasm.  The urgency to remove barriers of division is based on the desire to be all in all and to urgently achieve together using the needed services of all.  Our being HERE with God allows us to be centered and not thrash about for new direction.  WE includes all humans of good will and ultimately all creation: as the subject of our search, encouragement in our ongoing quest; emerging vision of all being; and stimulus for our enthusiasm -- and let's look at this with a diagram if you please.

I am aware of God's presence HERE  (a point)
WE reside in a field of x and y social dimensions  (a plane)
A shared vision is NOW up ahead of us in the future (time)

            The three-dimensional setting is an ideal order in which agents are expected to work.  Growth in consciousness is movement in time.      

Broadhead skink, Eumeces laticeps, Woodford Co., KY.
(*photo credit)

December 6, 2024                  Accelerating the Changes Demanded

            Mary's Feast today reminds us that her preparation in conception was a key component of Salvation History, when the divine and human touched in a very special way.  Looked at more deeply we are part of Salvation History as catalysts of change.

            To hasten is to increase our growth in consciousness through responsible action on both individual and collective levels.  If an environmental disaster occurs or a region suffers hunger, response time is quite critical.  People working together and conscious of each other's needs, enhance awareness -- a feedback loop.  However, this process is not automatic, nor always moving towards progress; freedom to say "yes" or "no" means that process is not always and everywhere progressive.  Hindrances occur and demand watchful vigilance and collaborative efforts at many levels -- and prayers as key ingredients as well.  Catalysts are fragile and need to be protected from poisoning, lest deceleration occurs through our imperfections or exterior persecution.

            Our vigilance begins at a grassroots level.  We are our family, our community, and our Earth's humble homemakers.  We are not to mess up our home, for that hinders the coming of the Lord.  The ecos must be maintained, cleaned up, healed, protected, and improved.  Healing becomes a part of this homemaking, and the more we heal, the greater the acceleration of the coming of the Kingdom.  Let's not tempt the Lord by messing up our world.  It is like people who fail to care for their own health, expecting God will perform a miracle to save them from a self-inflicted ailment.

             Welcoming others is part of authentic homemaking, even when the abode is a humble one.  Our love gives it warmth, for even an affluent place can be cold and uninviting.  Let's face it, an Earth in which the affluent "have's" consume a great portion of resources and the "have nots" go hungry is not a fully inviting place.  Affluence suffocates us by drawing attention to luxury demands and unimportant trivia, making us self-centered and forgetful of others, and drowning out the cries of the poor.  Rather than making Earth a home, affluence segregates the people and creates the gated-communities that ultimately damage the global home -- and decelerates the efforts to hasten the day of the Lord.  Delicate catalysts can be easily poisoned -- and affluence is a major source of poison that corrupts our understanding of an authentic Eco-Spirituality.   

            "Thy Kingdom Come" is a prayer, a hope, and a yearning: factually, we are immersed in a partly realized Kingdom; prayerfully, we seek courage as participants; hopefully, we are precisely at the right place and time; and finally we need to articulate our yearning for the coming of the Lord.  We cannot do this alone, whether individually or as an enlightened people; we need God's help, for the social addictions of our materialistic culture are bent on holding things up.  Catalysts are fragile and easily deactivated, and we are the guardians of their success. 

Tides of Lake Huron.
(*photo credit)

December 7, 2024                  Hastening the Day of the Lord as Catalysts
           
            Since everything is coming to an end like this, you should be living holy and saintly lives, while you wait and long for the Day of God to come, when the sky will dissolve in flames and the elements melt in the heat.  What we are waiting for is what he promised: the New Heavens and New Earth, the place where righteousness will be at home.             (II Peter 3:11-13, Jerusalem Bible)     

            Growing awareness of ebbing physical energy strikes us as to our limited time span.  We walk slowly and do not run, drive less and more carefully; we reduce the space tilled for gardening each year.  Diminishment occurs and a growth in wisdom is welcomed, for in the shortening span of time we are inclined to a holy haste.

            The beginning citation from the Second Letter of Peter is translated differently in various texts.  To long for and wait for the coming of the Lord is somewhat passive and does not necessarily contain an active characteristic.  The Holy Bible New International Version says, "as you look to the day of God and speed its coming." A slightly different translation is found in the Inclusive New Testament with the words, "Look for the day of God, and try to hasten it along" (II Peter 3:12).  The concept of speeding or hastening (speudonitas in Greek) is affirmed by scholars (personally for me by the late Jesuit scholar Frank Gignac in our seminary days together); thus Peter's words contain an active participation in the upcoming event.  To hasten is to accelerate much like leaven, as meant in Jesus' teachings about the coming of the Kingdom of God.  This means that an eschatology involves our participation, not our mere viewing from a distance.

            Jesus is a catalyst; he prepares his disciples for the urgent task of establishing the Kingdom; they, and now we, are agents of change.  Jesus is the light of the world, and so are we; he is salt and so are we; he is leaven and so are we.  All three of these common symbols can produce catalytic effects in one or other way.  While we move to eternal light, we are other christs who are lights that triggers life and photosynthetic growth; yes, we are leaven who give attractive texture to a bland world; we are what makes the dough of our world rise.  When properly timed and placed we become the agents of change, like chemical or biological catalysts. 

            Through our baptism we become agents of change -- enzymes, leaven, yeast, chemical catalysts, all dynamic strategic agents; we are immersed in the dough of our world and yet are different.  The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through (Matthew 13:33, also Luke 13:20-21).  Peter goes on to tell us that our lives must be godly, for the work ahead is so demanding.  The transformation is truly dramatic and we need to be actively watchful for the advent of Christ who came once, is present sacramentally and will come again in glory.  We are within his company and are called to act like him as catalysts to the masses.

Cladonia cristatella, British soldier lichen.
(*photo credit)

December 8, 2024                     Preparing the Way of the Lord as Heralds

A voice cries in the wilderness; Prepare a way for the Lord; make his paths straight.   (Luke 3:5)

             As the voice cries out we gain that sense of urgency to hear and see in spiritual ways.  Yes, Christ came to us that first Christmas in a world waiting longingly he comes to us today in the Eucharistic presence and nourishment for our continued journey; he will come again as king of kings and Lord of the universe to deliver the kingdom to the Father.  We were in his mind when coming long ago; we are in his mind as he is companion to us now, moving with us on our sacred mission; he welcomes us into the Divine Family at our Baptism and invites us to enter into an eternal glory.  We have a past, present and future with the Lord.

            As companions of the Lord we are to help prepare the way.  The Lord's presence is not just a singular relationship, but involves many others who have the Lord's presence as well. As part of the family we prepare by assisting the needs of others in compassion and collaboration.  To embrace another has its special place at times of mourning, on arrivals and departures, within sincere fellowship, with congratulations, and in times of need and sickness.  Gesture says more than words, brings togetherness, and expresses both compassion and joy.  Just as there are times for embraces, there are times when others need to be left alone, to figure things out by themselves; they need their personal sacred space, and by honoring them we too prepare the way for the Lord.  Thank heavens for sensitive people, who know the sacred space of others, especially those who hurt.  And there are plenty who hurt.

      As our world comes together more closely through social media forms of instant communications, our neighborhood shrinks and we become more mindful of extended responsibilities.  Often human needs cannot wait, and thus our Advent is a season of urgency.  We are not a privileged elite who may sit back and watch the Lord do miracles for our satisfaction.  We are humble servants; we are aware of human needs and work together to alleviate them.  As yeast is needed to raise the dough, we raise the social consciousness of a world in need of seeing urgency in the task before us.  We are called to be vigilant and to do this through our Earthhealing. 

            March -- We Seek a Model Who Is Radically Compassionate.  In this month we seek to answer the desire to have a perfect model for healing, teaching and confronting others?  As Christians, we turn to Jesus and find him to be a model of love and mercy, of balance and harmony, of action and passion.  Christ is able to perfectly balance mercy and anger in his public ministry.  As we meditate on Jesus, we discover God's harmony at work in a perfect person worthy of imitation.  After seeing God's glorious creation and then glimpsing earthly desolation, we look again.  We see a blinding transfiguration: Jesus is consoled and brings this to us -- a simultaneous awareness of Earth's raw experience and Heaven's ultimate victory.  As disciples and healers, we learn compassion; as activists we respond with courage; as sensitive believers we experience pain of a wounded world; we face desolation squarely.

Sunset comes to rural Kentucky farm in winter.
(*photo credit)

December 22, 2024                            Willing to Be Peacemakers

He himself will be peace.       (Micah 5: 4)

            I rose early in the morning before others of our team sponsored by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.  First light was coming and I peered through the eight-foot barbed wire fence surrounding the army outpost where we were staying.  Down in the valley below was Bethlehem and it was the only time in my life I regretted not carrying a camera, for how many ever see the city of peace through barbed wire fencing?

            We travel with Mary -- bearer of God, to visit her Cousin Elizabeth and consider their meeting -- the hospitality of Elizabeth and the urgency of Mary to help another in need.  We look more deeply into this event and Mary bearing Christ, the Incarnate One to another.  Are we not called to bear Christ to others?  The meeting is expressed with joy of new motherhood among these two; this is accompanied by John as fetus dancing in the womb -- the only such Scriptural occasion.  This event affirms motherhood in the deepest fashion for those who can physically bear children. It affirms being Christophers (bearers of Christ) to all believers who participate in bringing Good News to others.  We are not mere plants and animals affirming life through existence; we are free to choose being made to the image of God.

            Bethlehem is a small and supposedly insignificant town near the great city of Jerusalem, yet destiny was to meet here in Christ's birth.  All Christians affirm that the crib and cross are never far apart, for those who celebrate a birth are close to those who suffer and die.  In fact, we are all to carry the cross and suffer at times, and we all have the gift of being close to the Lord and so we can celebrate at the crib.  The mark of the Christian is to know when to do both and to be content that birth and death each has its time and place.          At Christmas we approach the crèche in a childlike manner and announce by our presence that Jesus comes to us as a helpless infant.  His coming is an invitation for us to be present to others and to know how to open our hearts to the flood tide of the Christmas spirit.  This is a time to review the journey we take to bring Christ to others.

            Past experience of Christ with us and future anticipation of his coming merge into the celebratory present moment, a time of review, a time of resolution.  We ask some basic questions as Christmas approaches: How well did I use my time this past year?  How much better will I use the coming year?  Isn't that the heart of spiritual growth -- knowing where and how our origin and our destination are integrated?  Does this give importance to my ultimate direction?  Are we open to receiving the Lord and all that his presence entails?  Is this not a season of more intentional hospitality?   Are we aware just how much the season pains those who have recently lost a loved one, or who find it impossible to go and be with them this week?  Resolve to show compassionate care through letters, calls, visits, gift giving, and meals. 

Benefits and Risks of an Imperial President
By Frl Al Fritsch, SJ

Someone may argue at various times in history that a very strong leader is necessary even to the point of surrender of democratic collective functions or divided powers for the sake of preserving the state.  Such an argument is not remote in the United States, especially when considering the Civil War in the 1860s when President Lincoln suspended Habeas Corpus and took some drastic measures to preserve the union.  We look deeper and find that Lincoln considered himself very restricted in his use of powers and agonized on the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation (except in rebellious territories and not elsewhere).  He respected the principle of dispersal of authority to various branches of government and humbly asked the Lord for guidance on such matters.

The temptation is great to have imperial leadership in this modern day, even without some of the traditional trappings of nobility with its titles, court manners and bowing and scraping.  This modern imperialism is manifest in modern Russia and China and to a varying degree in Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia among others.  As mentioned before, confronting complex problems in many nations through autocratic actions by the heads of state is quite tempting.  Terrorism sets a tone of utter emergency and the call for a strong response by national leaders, who seek popularity and acceptance along with an ability to respond quickly for the nation's good.  Centralization of power seems to many as the proper response. 

         These conditions are also experienced in the United States and can become the temptation of an office already emerging with some aspects of an imperial manner (heavy as far as exercise of safety and military options go).  Add to this that the United States is the most powerful nation in the world militarily with far-flung bases on every continent, with over half the world aircraft carriers floating on all the oceans, and with a military budget that is half the world's, along with a host of nuclear and other weapons that could be launched at will and destroy continents.  Now add to that military might the temptation for the person at the top to consider power a part of singular glory and personal due -- and perhaps with daydreams that this could elevate an active President to the equal of Washington and Lincoln.

         The office of presidency ought to function as part of a robust democracy.  Imperialism has a way of tarnishing a democracy of, by, and for the people in a broad array of proper governmental actions.  Has our present Congress relegated to the President some of the powers vested in it?  Can Congress find itself able to acknowledge that its own responsibility has been compromised and it has within itself the power to declare war (though some circumstances may require instant decisions) and to call a president to specific limited powers as defined by our Constitution?  And do all members of this august body realize that they have the power to remove a President from office if acting improperly?

         Imperialistic benefits involve incisive action by one who is balanced and of sound mind; this person can take the place of the people if they are unable or indifferent to responsible acceptance of duties.  Those who do not vote and neglect to take part in government are perfect candidates for becoming loyal subjects to an emperor.  In this age of information overload the temptation is great to allow the leaders to do what they deem best.  A false humility says that the task is too big for me to consider or manage or even become concerned over.  "Allow that ideal emperor to handle the matter for he saves us from bother."  But stop and think; is there such a perfect person in such a leadership role?  

         Imperialistic risks are often hidden from the lazy or non-caring.  The bias for singular decision-making extends to some leaders, for power has a way of enticing and corrupting.  The electoral system may close down or be so contaminated that the imperial leader reduces it to tokenism and concentrates power -- and numerous current examples in Africa and even Latin America today show this can be the case.  Active citizen interaction can be short-circuited and power will not only emerge but stay fixed for the lifetime of the imperial ruler.  What if the person practicing imperialism is not well-meaning and believes he alone is needed at this time in history; he becomes the possessor of administrative office and the legislative branch as well.  What was considered an advantage in times of instant decision and sound judgment can suddenly become a major risk -- and in the cases of Stalin and Hitler -- nightmares.

         Analyses of risks is part of the human condition.  Certainly once the option is set for democratic process, the need for ongoing monitoring is necessary for balanced governance.  If a president shows a propensity for imperialistic leadership, then the monitoring becomes crucial.  The sense of being above the law caters to a personality that is willing to reach to the limits of legal boundaries and beyond.  Why not start a war?  A sense of being above others due to the nature of the office could tempt a person to disregard advice and count only on self-judgment and emotional reasoning.  Imperialists can fool themselves and count on power affirmed by their sycophants; the common citizen be damned!  The imperialist can fool some of the people, especially the voter base that put him into office and furnish them with a reason for their vote; he plays with fire and is regarded as brave and courageous by making quick decisions.  The voter base seem privileged to be following as dutiful servants.   

We Americans have opted for democracy and all the associated freedoms.  An overly powerful president comes at a price; we cannot have citizen participation and blatant imperialism at the same time.  Our leaders must be answerable and not for the election period alone, but throughout their tenure of office.  Imperialism has certainly been creeping into our system as fewer vote or show interest in political life.  This does not bode well and calls out for participatory citizen action, which must be cherished with urgency and care.

Colony of ants, hard at work in mild winter weather.
(*photo credit)

December 23, 2024                  Coming Closer to the Lord amid Distractions

             The second half of the Eco-Spiritual year is the vast season of Pentecost that prepares us to be effective Earthhealers:

             July -- Jesus' Personality Is Ecologically Balanced.  In the heat of summer we consider the individual obstacles holding us back from being healers of Earth: denial, excuse, escape, self-promotion, fence sitting, spinning wheels, cynicism, and affluence.  We affirm that Jesus is the perfect ecologist whose personal good qualities counterbalance barriers that hinder our journey of faith.  Thus, through use of talents and self-control we gradually mature in our healing ministry.  Assistance is necessary, because healing Earth is a social function demanding give-and-take with others.  This is all the more necessary because we are so heavily influenced by the materialistic culture's allurements that lead to self-gratification.  Through overcoming these barriers we are better prepared to become agents of change.  And only Jesus, who has a perfectly balanced personality leads the way.

            August -- Let Us Enhance Our Enthusiasm.  In this verdant month we discover that gifts of inspiration and resulting enthusiasm are the spice for healing Earth.  The Holy Spirit gives us a broadening view of our ecological stance.  We begin to see through the eyes of faith a deeper consecrated HERE and NOW and an enhancing WE that includes all people of good will.  Mystery enters into ecological consciousness at this deeper level.  We strive to justify a restlessness energizing our enthusiasm; this stands in sharp contrast to the "comfort" levels sought by those who compromise their ecological stance with the addictive culture and outdated economic System.  We awaken to the Trinitarian nature of our undertaking, looking to the Source of all gifts, the Gift (Christ), and the Giving (the Spirit).  We show gratitude through deeds by which we participate in Salvation History.  Our sense of Mystery is enhanced through our experiences in healing Earth herself.     

            September -- Only God Is Fitting Nourishment.  In this bountiful month we discover a field white with the harvest.  As Church, we encourage Earthhealing in community, for our goal is salvation.  Through liturgical action of word and deed we give thanks for gifts given; we show work's rhythm and value; we celebrate at the grassroots level; we are nourished by Christ, the divine gift, lest our enthusiasm wane; we proclaim a deeper HERE, NOW and WE that allows us to become prophetic witnesses to confront materialism.  We see mother Church as icon of the Trinity and, through her, we transform our individual enthusiasm into communal action following how God works in our world: a harmony of Triune persons sharing love and mercy with us.  However, our enthusiasm breeds growing restlessness within our faith communities, which is to be understood more than allayed.  We seek direction, a deep sense of urgency and a movement to greater unity. 

Glorious colors of winter.
(*photo credit)

December 24, 2024                   Affirming Our Sacred Mission

            As we approach Christmas we conclude our review of the journey to an Eco-Spirituality during the autumn season that just ended:

            October -- Forgiveness Brings Proper Communal Actions.  Mother Church gives direction, urgency, and movement to greater unity as a formal community of Earthhealers.  The glue of such a personal instrument is the offer by God of a Spirit of forgiveness for ourselves and others; we are free to initiate the Earthhealing process without resorting to incrimination and friction.  Through baptism, we are launched on our saving mission; we become conscious of being participants in Salvation History; we are invited to say "yes" to the Spirit in the manner in which Mary said "yes" during the incarnation event.  Our awareness grows and we learn that we must share with others within a budding social consciousness.  God's sharing of self becomes the model for our action, both on an individual and on the global level; this means radical sharing, promoting, and encouraging global eco-justice initiatives.   We establish bonding with Earth, with plants, animals and other human beings, and to some degree we anticipate a natural response of these sub-communities to our own embrace.  We seek to establish interpersonal relationships based on our companionship with Jesus.

            November -- Social Awareness and Destiny Intersect.  In naked November we look to the promised goal of our mission: the New Heaven and New Earth.  We are created for God and destined to return to the Triune Majesty, Pure Love, the Omega Point of our life, Christ himself.  However, we keep our feet on the ground, for an urgency grows for us to extend neighborhood from locality to all people on the planet.  Dreams and visions are welcomed and are achievable.  Our awareness grows: we can heal Earth if we have faith, and it takes sacramental life to help keep us open to spiritual growth.  Our model of "home" is the prime analog of what our destiny is to be, for we move from a small intimate family of kin to a broader family, the people of God. 

            To actualize that global movement requires "homework" that involves study, planning, cooperating, mustering resources and engaging in the nitty-gritty of building the new home.  But a vision of home with a commitment to work hard is not enough, for that may tempt us to remain only at a local level.  We spread our tents of concern to a world in turmoil lacking basic needs of food, housing, recreation, education, environmental protection and home care.   We grow in teleological (the end ahead in time) and social (our neighbors in space) consciousness so that through our fidelity, fruit may result.  Things can and will go wrong; opportunities can be lost; affluence can deaden our companions.  The risk of losing the opportunity to succeed makes us more determined to participate while awaiting the coming of the Lord.  We do not know the results of our shorter-term actions, for only God knows these and their relationship to the final end -- but we are determined to carry on. Individually we need be faithful, not successful.

            December -- We Hasten the Day of the Coming of the Lord.  In experiencing God's Presence in our midst, we move from ecological HERE to a deeper one that points to a proper end of time, perceived NOW through the eyes of faith, and that can only be achieved through a cooperative effort of a WE who believe in the future.  We are beginning to perceive with greater clarity the countenance of Christ shining forth in all Creation, and this becomes a motivating force in our quest.  Furthermore, our senses are more perceptive -- a true mark of an authentic Eco-Spirituality that is grounded in Earth and moving outward to greater unity. 

            We discover through the God within that we are catalysts of change when properly placed, and that catalytic action involves hastening and accelerating the healing process towards which we are called.  When all elements of our individual and social awareness harmonize, we understand the direction of our healing with greater clarity.  The mystery of divine purpose (Ephesians 1:9a), which was hidden, now emerges gradually in space and time and within a believing community.  But we cannot embrace this Mystery as a personal devotion, removed from the service we are to render in healing our wounded Earth; we must share it with others just as God communicates Godself to us.       

Christmas full moon.
(*photo credit)

December 25, 2024                    Wishing You a Blessed Christmas   

            You see, God's grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and has taught us that we have to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and savior Christ Jesus.                                                    (Titus 2:11-13)

A blessed Christmas to each and every one of you, and do enjoy this most Holy Day.
The Earthhealing Team

Detail of Manchester Prison razor wire.
taken from Appalachian Sensations, by Al Fritsch, SJ with photos by Warren Brunner. Click here for info.

December 26, 2024                Glistening Razor Fence at Manchester Prison

            The spirit of the Lord YHWH has been given to me,
for YHWH has anointed me,
sending me to bring good news to the poor,
to bind up hearts that are broken;
to proclaim liberty to captives,
freedom to those in prison.                   (Isaiah 61:1)

            Until it was too difficult to travel two hundred miles round trip to serve federal prisoners at Manchester Kentucky's two prisons on a periodic basis, I found these visits times of realism.

            The peace of Christmas is shaken by the martyrdom of Stephen today and Feast of the Holy Innocents the day after tomorrow.  The reality of Christ's coming is shown in those who give witness in and through their lives.  We ought to be Christian realists.

            As winter sets in, for one brief moment, Manchester Prison seems like a giant Christmas display set amid the hills of Appalachia on a reclaimed strip mine.  But on closer inspection one finds razor wire, guard posts, and a vast "corrections" institution.  When the spotlights are shining during a wintry night, the place sparkles like sprawling shrubs with a million Christmas lights.  But behind the glittering wire, over a thousand unfortunate prisoners are cast away from society.  Some keep the secret of their own offenses in fear of being shunned by fellow prisoners.  Some remember the hurt caused loved ones back home.  Others regret the loss of time that could have been used to make a decent living for their families.  All hurt separately and especially during the holiday season.

            Prisons in Appalachia have become a growth industry, an opportunity for employment for local people.  America has more prisoners per capita than any other industrialized nation.  We incarcerate them in expensive institutions, and neglect service programs by which convicts could make positive contributions to society.  We as a people have much to learn, even from primitive cultures, on how to rehabilitate offenders.  Can't a free society find better methods for social re-incorporation than razor wire?

            Besides, the racial makeup with Blacks and Latinos is far out of proportion to American population.  Most fail to see that part of this disproportion is that the poor do not have the adequate legal representation that is afforded by more economically privileged White people.  It is not more crime, but less legal assistance -- and this tends to show once we become acquainted with individuals who are so imprisoned by society.  Note also there are more Blacks imprisoned than those of the same age group enslaved at the time of the Civil War.  Far too disproportionately, and that raises the question of racial discrimination along with unfair procedures leading to massive incarceration. 

An Outer Bluegrass, KY, valley.
(*photo credit)

December 27, 2024                  Summarizing Eco-Spirituality Insights

In the course of the year various insights surfaced, some of which had been previously discussed.  Check the specific month listed on our website.  We invite comments.

Primary insight: We must respect our unique environments.  All experience their location, calling and destiny in specific ways.

January: Creation Unveils a Deep Sense of Mystery. We are caught in the Mystery of God within, around and beyond us.

February: We Experience Our Suffering Earth with Compassion.  We must gaze upon our wounded Earth, but find a suffering community.

March: We Seek a Model Who Is Radically Compassionate.  This model is Jesus Christ -- perfect activist.    

April: Eco-Justice and Social Justice are One; all justice issues are interrelated in an Integral Ecology where inequality hampers works of eco-justice and environmental protection.

May: We Proclaim Power through Powerlessness. Our social addictions cripple us and we call to the Lord for empowerment, without whom we cannot move forward.

June: We must always act appropriately and Sustainably.  The temptation to become violent must be resisted.

July: Jesus' Personality Is Ecologically Balanced.  This means that we are to move to balance our own emotions and ambitions.

August: Let Us Enhance Our Enthusiasm.  We discover the inner energy it takes to penetrate into the deeper Mystery in doing godly deeds with a sense of mutual support.

September: Only God Is Fitting Nourishment.  Our faith is to be expressed in works and this is only possible on a continuing basis with food from Heaven.

October: Forgiveness Brings Proper Communal Actions.  To work together we must learn to be forgiving people.

November: Social Awareness and Destiny Intersect.  We must expand our awareness to work together to build the Kingdom.

December: We Hasten the Day of the Coming of the Lord.  We accelerate the process and partake in establishing the Kingdom.

Emerging Insight: The Trinity Is at Work in Our World and only with reflection do we understand this ever-deepening Mystery.

Cold rushing waters. Woodford Co., KY.
(*photo credit)

December 28, 2024                Healing Earth has Trinitarian Characteristics 

            A Triune God creates, redeems and sanctifies the world in which we live; then surely believers bent on doing godly deeds ought to find footprints of the Trinitarian character if we but look in our world.  Is this also the reasoning behind Augustine's and Thomas Aquinas' focus on human intellectual activities patterned after the God who creates us in the divine image?  That is certainly a noble undertaking.  For these and other early thinkers what greater area of human activity is there than our individual intellectual process?  Perhaps there is a greater activity -- our mission to save our wounded Earth. 

            Healing Earth takes more than each individual working alone in splendid isolation working on the thought process; it takes thought (head) plus practical skills (hands) and collaboration (heart) among kindred spirits.  This integrated collaborative enterprise is a mission that reveals the godly efforts that were considered too mundane (pertaining to this world) for an intellectual elite.  With the growth of social consciousness we have a deepening mission to renew our Earth with compassion and a sense of duty.  We renew as a re-creative act and save a wounded Earth through filling what is wanting in the sufferings of Christ.  The believers inspire other to partake in the urgent task ahead.  Our renewing, saving and sharing talents reveals the Triune God at work.

            All our godly acts can be done pro-actively through work or through prayer united to those working; in unison, these reveal something of God's creative, redeeming and unitive activity.  Taken as "integral ecology," or participating as one renewing act, involves instituting a renewable energy and radical sharing economy that is an alternative to the outmoded System now in effect.  The process similar to intellectual process with a footprint of our Triune God is far more global, more practical, and more radically sharing than a mere individual's experiencing, understanding, judging and being moved to action -- and yet that is necessary also.  At the heart of this insight is why democratic process is closer to the divine act than is a top down approach of one person over another.  The process is a joint collaboration of true persons working together and is an image of the creative, redeeming and love-communicating activity of our Triune God. 

            Believers manifest this Triune character to a greater degree than those who act but do not see its godly characteristics.  The Triune mystery emerges when we perceive the Divine Presence within us, the movement to our destiny in Christ, and the Spirit of enthusiasm energetically pressing us forward.  See Diagram on December 5.  Enlightening others is to the Greater Glory of God.  The more we grasp our own part in the Divine Plan, the better we are able to participate in the New Creation.  

The Kentucky River in winter..
(*photo credit)

December 29, 2024                            Admiring the Holy Family

            Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.   (Luke 2:46)

            We are aware of conferences (as in October in Philadelphia of the focus on the family, that key building block of an emerging alternative social structure. The Temple episode is a family story.  Jesus is actively engaged even in his early life, for the mark of many activists is that their whole being is engaged early on.  Jesus finds creative ways to discover opportunity to develop his calling -- a sacred messiahship as the deepest of callings.  But he does this in a way that other youth can learn to follow with minds and hearts.  William Wordsworth says "The child is the father of the man."

            Mary and Joseph enter into parenting.  In Jesus' quest for autonomy his parents are left in a state of anxiety, much as others who raise children have such moments.  Mary and Joseph learn that Jesus is changing as he goes from infancy to early manhood.  A certain distance or autonomy develops as individuals think about the life ahead of them.  Jesus has a horizon opening before him and for better or worse this is to be honored.  All too often this involves the painful sacrifice of separation from the family unit.    

             Jesus is a venturing participant in the psychological journey of the Holy Family.  As predicted by Simeon, Mary is reflecting on these matters in her heart, and patient Joseph is growing in wisdom as Jesus uses the term "father" to mean the divine person to whom he is begotten, a heavenly realm beyond human understanding.  Amazingly, this is the one public encounter in the canonical books that speaks of Jesus' teenage growth in wisdom and understanding.  Like so many youth, Jesus ventures to separate from his close-knit family.  Jesus is an exuberant and active youth, able to move faster than kinfolks in that traveling group, which included both young and old; he knows he can catch up and so spends time in that focal Temple that will captivate him in the course of ministry -- being about "his Father's business."  This is his bar mitzvah.

            Mary and Joseph are tolerant and trusting.  Like other parents they strive to understand who Jesus is becoming and to allow space for him.  Upon finding him, they show their anxiety and yet trust that he is coming to know himself as well.  He becomes obedient to them and most likely keeps them informed more about where he is going.  Concern for all becomes a family endeavor and each finds a place during the teen years.  Mary is far more tolerant than what some would expect, and yet Jesus is truly her son -- and both match an activistic character perfectly.  This Temple experience is growth to a higher mission, both for the son and for the mother, for an entire family is on a journey of faith.

Ring-necked snake, Diadophis puntatus.
(*photo credit)

December 30, 2024                Earthhealing as a Meaningful Calling

            God grant me the serenity to accept things I cannot change, the courage to change things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.                                                          (Serenity Prayer)

            Earthhealers are Christ's friends, temples of the Holy Spirit, cooperators with the Creator in the work of the New Creation.  The undifferentiated Mystery, first seen in a child's crawling about, now returns to the travel-worn who can still heal through the experience of life's journey.  Healers hopefully emerge as mystical, compassionate, prophetic, justice-oriented, spiritually empowered, practical, balanced, inspired, nourished, merciful, expectant, patient and yet restless people.  Christ becomes one of us so that we can become like him in a godly way -- the meaning of which grows on us.  Healers aspire to divine love.

            Earthhealers can become loving members of a global and sacred Family and seek to incorporate all the spiritual characteristics introduced in this journey of faith: a sense of mystery and the glory of creation; a suffering world in need of redemption; a person who is healer, teacher, and prophet, all as perfect ecological model; a unity of social and eco-justice; a profound spiritual empowerment of the Resurrection at the moment of realizing our powerlessness; appropriate technology as the poor's instrument of change; a balanced personality among individuals working for common goals; inspiration leading to the reality of a growing enthusiasm; formal consecration that receives divine nourishment, forgiveness and radical sharing with our neighbor; an emerging social and teleological awareness; and a Divine Presence that encourages us to help hasten the Day of the Lord.     

             Some regard this Eco-Spirituality as too localized (to our grassroots habitat), confining (limited to current conditions in time), and sectarian (focused on our religious or political stances).  However, every eco-spirituality, if authentic, must be aware of place and circumstances (weather, topography, culture, etc.) that are relevant to a threatened world in which we are present.  Each is ecologically active; each is willing to overcome fear of criticism.  In fact, by starting with where and how we are, we have the freedom to burrow into deeper levels of Eco-Spirituality.  We use our senses to see ultimate goals, hear our vocational call, smell flowers, taste good foods, and feel the vibrations of the Lord's Coming.  And this creates rich variety.

We Need Divine Assistance
By Frl Al Fritsch, SJ

         Climate change is taking its toll through rapidly melting ice caps, rising ocean levels with flooding, coral reef decline, and more frequent extreme weather events.  The period it will take to transfer to a renewable energy economy shortens.  Expectations that voluntary compliance by nations will result in greenhouse emission declines have proven in part wishful thinking.  Failure to meet goals to reduce global warming advances includes the withdrawal of the U.S.  Ours is a nation that should take an affirmative role because we made a major contribution to the current greenhouse condition through massive resource expenditure since the beginning of the industrial revolution.  Realistically, reaching attainable goals to stave off catastrophe seem less likely with each passing month, when 1.5 or 2 degree Celsius global temperature rise will be exceeded.  Is it even possible to avert global catastrophe?

The looming failure may be due to the unrealistic inequality that permits a denial mentality on the part of the economically powerful.  These want to continue the status quo of a coal, oil and gas economy as long as possible.  The industry’s aversion to renewable energy puts shareholder profit over the planet and people’s lives.  While climate change intensifies, these companies are spending billions of dollars to grow their oil and gas assets.  Between February 2023 and January 2024, for the first time ever, the average global air temperature breached 1.5 degrees Celsius.  The Paris Climate Agreement’s goal is to limit the long-term temperature average to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, and although the long-term trend remains below that threshold for now, this year’s global temperatures are yet another major wake-up call. Profits come before the health of the planet and these can make it so.  The victim here is the planet and entire populations submerged by rising oceans and migration to overcrowded uplands. 

         Urgency-motivated actions cannot be hastened when the inequality persists and a nation deliberately sets a policy of holding back meaningful corrective measures.  A secular misconception is that somehow we can succeed and it won't be as bad as the forecasted catastrophe.  Part of this material-driven dream world is supported by media that allows for plentiful allurements that take one's mind off of truly deadly outcomes. 

         This sense of neighborhood is dulled today because the System of affluent and non-affluent classes tolerate gated communities of privilege where neighborhood cannot develop and neighbors intermix and work together.  The act of sharing God-given resources can only be achieved if we treat all as part of a healthy neighborhood and understand that essential needs generate insecurity that can have global dimensions.  We seem pleased when the wealthy donate a bit of their treasure in charity; we hesitate in demanding that the needy have a right to the wealth of the world -- and those needy are global in scope.  The source of this right is in the dignity of the birth of each person, and here the possession and control by a few when the many are in need takes on a character that goes beyond secularism; this right comes through the Divine gift of life. 

         A totally secular society may have the potential to effect meaningful change, but it does not have the will power to energize it.  The weakening of moral resolve by lack of self-denial, whether on the individual level or on that of the state that permits some to own enormous portions of untaxed wealth weakens and even fractures the body politic.  We are unable to move forward, not because of lack of some political forcefulness on the part of political groups; we are human beings unable to muster the moral stamina to work together at a level where sharing is part of human nature.  A failure to share the resources of the world with all is in fact a moral failure that can only be addressed by public recognition of the God in whom we are to trust.  Through this trust we will be able to consider a more just economic System.

         Failure to recognize the place of the Divine in our affairs makes this a nation of advancing "nones," in which national collaboration is cast on the shoals of faithlessness -- and these become the predominant voice in the wilderness.  Without a Divine focus the place becomes paralyzed, and little can be gained by hoping that the secular world has answers, for it was this enhanced secularity that ushered in the consumer culture with its demands; it is the tolerated individual comfort and convenience that can blind citizens to legitimate demands of a needy world.  "Make America Great Again" is part of that utter secularity with billionaires in charge of our national destiny and a tolerant public allowing wealth to dictate national and indirectly global policy.  If this is not challenged radically, the planet will suffer, for unfortunately America is big enough to be a spoiler.

         Secular forces want to do away with the American motto "In God We Trust;” they prefer "In the Dollar We Trust."  For them the private sector (dominated by wealth) takes precedence over public efforts at mutual sharing administered through citizen-monitored government.  Believers in the future know that our cherished liberty depends, not on the whelms of self-indulging individuals, but on the mutual give and take of a society working together for the Common Good.  For believers, we share a mutual reverence for our Creator and we see the need to resonate with Divinity in a shared love for all.  If we do not, then we are cast in a sea of self-gratification -- and the world be damned by an immoral System. 

         This mutual sense of working together for the Common Good goes beyond recognition of the seat of resonance needed for solidarity and as described in our book Resonance: Promoting Harmony When Confronting Climate Change.  Here the general believing citizen who sees a mutual presence and desired future with others is motivated to gain control of the resources needed to establish a renewable energy economy based on mutual sharing of resources.  This requires the use of all measures at our disposal, and that includes the power of prayer and mutual worship as a foundation to solving the climate change impending catastrophe. 

Sunset near Cadiz., KY.
(*photo credit)

December 31, 2024                            Bringing Finality to the Year

            With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realize that it was you who sent me and that   I have loved them as much as you have loved me. (John 17:23)

            In the "Contemplation to Attain Love of God" Saint Ignatius calls attention to two points: that love ought to manifest itself in deeds rather than words; and that love consists of mutual sharing of goods.  The lover gives and shares possessions with the beloved.  Healers of Earth are people who are doers of deeds and sharers of benefits.  To "attain" means reaching a goal and that is God, who is Love.  We must open ourselves to see that God loves us concretely by sharing Jesus with us.  Jesus overwhelms us with the Divine Love and leads the way for our journey, including a bestowal of freedom, a risk in letting us be open in choosing our path.

            All love works two ways; between lover and beloved.  What do we do to return this divine gift of love?  Plants and animals give praise in their limited manner.  We do more; we can freely return that love or refuse it.  If heaped with love and open to growth, we are moved to reciprocate through deeds done for, with, and among others.  Our deeds express God's love: the more the Word of God impels us to act, the more we manifest the Incarnate Word through our actions.  We become other christs in the process of healing what is wounded.  We are aware of shortness of time to act and where to serve best through companionship with others.

             We are instruments, crude and chipped as they are, in the hands of the Almighty.  Openness allows our healing to be more meaningful, for in seeking to heal we are healed.  We share with our neighbor -- our fellow human beings, our fellow creatures, and Earth herself.  This communion of love extends beyond this very Earth to the Communion of Saints and the Suffering who await the union that is to come.  By breaking out of self-centeredness we radically share all we can give with all who can receive.  We do not seek removal from the world (John 17:15), but to be an example of the union of God's Divine Presence in a troubled world. 

            Our collaboration is with others; we can't act alone.  I cannot save this troubled world alone, but WE can -- if we work together.  When we consider growth in consciousness and meaningful change, the need for cooperative endeavors becomes a key ingredient to the making of a new System that is not based on profiteering or excessive competition.  It takes all our cooperative skills with a trust in the almighty to bring this about, along with patience and considerable forbearance.

            Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess.  You have given all to me.  To you, O Lord, I return it.  Dispose of it wholly according to your will.  Give me your love and your grace, for this is enough for us.  
St. Ignatius of Loyola