• About The Sophia Center

The Sophia Center for Spirituality

~ Spanning the denominations in NY's Southern Tier

The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Tag Archives: environment

And Again…

12 Tuesday Feb 2019

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

caretakers, creation, environment, foraging, Genesis, save the planet, solution, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

As I read the second half of the first chapter of Genesis this morning about the creation of all the sea creatures, the birds, the “creeping things” and wild animals, I saw in my mind’s eye the vivid red of cardinals and woodpeckers on our deck vying with the squirrels for the “breakfast” seed before it disappeared under the snow that had just begun to fall. Next I was reminded of the polar bears cited on yesterday’s news, sad that a state of emergency was declared as at least 52 of them were spotted in residential areas on a remote archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of Russia. It seems that rising global temperatures have contributed to a reduction in the size of polar bears’ sea-ice habitats, forcing them onto land for longer periods of time. (Time.com) There are pictures of these beautiful creatures foraging in garbage dumps for food, a sad commentary on the lack of care and concern that science tells us is the result of human disregard of warnings about the environment.

As I wrote that last, I was jolted into recognition that humans have also been reduced to the same kind of foraging for food – and livelihood – as they actually live on the edges of garbage dumps (see La Chureca in Managua, Nicaragua).

How does all this square with the conclusion that God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good? How have we lived our responsibility as caretakers of creation? Is it too late to “save the planet?” Perhaps on this day when many of us are housebound because of extreme weather conditions, we might take some time to consider the best way to participate in a solution to what has become a major crisis in our day. May our efforts be blessed!

An Answer from Francis

04 Wednesday Oct 2017

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

change, console, environment, eternal life, faith, giving, joy, love, nature, pardon, Peace, St. Francis of Assisi, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, understand

abarefootwalkYesterday afternoon I was in a gathering where we were discussing change using a number of quotes on the subject. It was fascinating to hear the different reactions to the various quotes depending on our interpretations of how the words were used in the sentences, or how a little word like “all” could challenge someone who is uncomfortable with such determinism. It was a great, stretching conversation that pointed up the need to really listen to the voices of others who differed according to culture and life experiences. etc. when interpreting what was being said.

It’s only 7:00AM and there are all sorts of vehicles – mostly big trucks – outside on our road with a large team working hard to get the road paved before the weather turns cold. They have already done days of preparation for this final process; they’re not just patching or putting down a thin coat this time. This will be an “extreme makeover” that is very welcome! But today is also the feast of St. Francis, the “little man of Assisi,” who was the champion of all things natural, i.e. those found in nature. Thinking of him makes me long for dirt roads and good walking shoes (or strong bare feet!) rather than all sorts of manufactured materials that are not good for the environment.

So while I think of our road I’m also thrown back to the vision of flooding in Houston, a city that has so much concrete in roads, building sites and parking lots that the rain had nowhere to go so that at least some of it might sink into the earth. I’m certainly not blaming the infrastructure for the 50+ inches of rain sitting in and flowing through the neighborhoods, but it was at least a mention on the news as a factor adding to the destruction and might be something to consider as cities continue to grow.

In an interview on NBC news following the devastating attack in Las Vegas this weekend, a man who was shot three times in his leg spoke of his experience. He said that two women, seeing his inability to stand, pulled him to a place of cover and then commanded two men to move him further into a truck where 7 others were already waiting to be taken to a hospital. He said, “I didn’t know any of those people. No one was looking at anyone in any particular way, judging anything. Everyone just kept helping, doing what they could for anyone they encountered.” We are our best in the worst situations, it seems.

What does all this mean? How do the thoughts fit together? Maybe they don’t really but I’m willing to entertain the possibility that there is a thread here, albeit a thin one. Or maybe it is as elemental as the opening line of the Prayer of St. Francis which says, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” On second thought, maybe that whole prayer is perfect for today as we try to move forward from violence and appreciate what is natural in our world. For those who don’t know it by heart let me print it here as our offering for peace and healing. Please join with me in praying it aloud.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything Is Beautiful in Its Own Way

28 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by thesophiacenterforspirituality in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

achieving goals, beauty, cheerfulness, comfort, environment, gratitude, little things, presentation, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, work

avase

I’ve been very conscious here in St. Paul, Minnesota of how the surrounding environment affects the way a task proceeds to its conclusion. I think I must appear to be the proverbial “kid in a candy store” to the six Sisters here with me to finish our committee work. We’re staying at what used to be the novitiate of this province and now is used as a guest house – a huge building, beautifully appointed by a lovely woman named Diane who makes it feel like home – and then some. Walking through the halls and peeking into rooms, I am constantly saying to the Sisters, “Look at this picture!” or “Did you see that beautiful vase at the end of the hall?!” There is so much beauty everywhere that my eyes don’t know where to look first when I walk a new hallway!

Last evening we went to dinner at a restaurant to celebrate the two years of our work together that has been a privilege for all of us. Not only was the food delicious in taste and presentation but everything about the experience added to our enjoyment. Perhaps the best element of all in that environment was Kate, our server. We all agreed on her importance to the meal and upon reflection I realize that all the servers worked as a team, charged with several tables each but aware of all the diners and helping each other as any need arose. Their work was smooth, unobtrusive and cheerfully done and made our meal a real treat.

Sometimes it’s the little things that turn out to be big things when the big things are in process. Beauty, comfort, cheerfulness…so many things can help to set the stage for achievement of a goal. And then what remains is gratitude.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donate to The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Donate

Our other websites

  • Main website
  • Facebook page

Visitors

  • 97,241 hits

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,045 other followers

Recent Posts

  • The “O Antiphon” Meditations
  • Memorial to be held this Sunday
  • Mark your calendars
  • A note to readers
  • “Hope Springs Eternal…”

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Archives

  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • The Sophia Center for Spirituality
    • Join 1,045 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Sophia Center for Spirituality
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...