Celtic Spirituality and Nature

Celtic Spirituality and Nature.

"There is no creature on the earth

There is no life in the sea

But proclaims your goodness.

There is no bird on the wing

There is no star in the sky

There is nothing beneath the sun

But is full of your blessing.

Lighten my understanding

Of your presence all around, O Christ

Kindle my will

      to be caring for Creation."—Phillip Newell, "Wednesday Morning" in Celtic Prayers from Iona: The Heart of Celtic Spirituality (Paulist Press, 1997).

sunset Arkansas River Trail. Hoke

The late Native American producer and musician Jim Wilson recorded the chirping sounds of crickets at regular and slowed-down speeds, which is said to match "the average lifespan of humans." In the slowed-down version, the crickets seem to sing Alleluias. (https://youtu.be/jk5gibBg-4g)  

It is an impressive sound of praise from nature. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, no one else has reproduced the sound so that it might be manipulated in some way. Nevertheless, I often listen to the crickets' recording, hearing an angelic chorus outside in the night sky.

There is no doubt that birds, especially in the early morning, seem to sing a new oratorio to Creation each day as the sun comes up.

The stars at night are like fireworks from millions of miles away, reminding us of a spectacle beyond our comprehension.

The waves in the ocean are like a percussion instrument that keeps us aware of Creation's constant, steady heartbeat—sometimes crashing like cymbals, occasionally tinkling softly like the ring of a triangle.

 I also hear from so many pet owners that they have experienced unconditional love for the first time from their pets, especially from dogs.

The love and praise of God are all around us, especially in nature. Listen for it

The pandemic was a time for listening and looking, while the noise and lights outside of nature were considerably less. They are returning. Consider this a respite for our lives, even for brief periods. It has been a gift of significant cost, so treasure each moment, each second, and remember those who gave and are still giving up their lives.

Remember that whatever we do to stay healthy and safe, hearing the crickets and watching the Milky Way can always calm our bodies and bring wellness.

Joanna https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Praying in Color

Praying in Color 

“Here are some reasons to Pray in Color:

1) You want to pray, but words escape you.

2) Sitting still and staying focused in prayer are a challenge.

3) Your body wants to be part of your prayer.

4) You want to hang out with God, but don’t know how.

5) Listening to God feels like an impossible task.

6) Your mind wanders, and your body complains.

7) You want a visual, concrete way to pray.

8) You need a new way to pray.”—Sybil MacBeth in Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God (Paraclete Press, 2007).

Gifted speaker and retreat leader Sybil MacBeth takes our prayer life from the left to the right brain. This type of prayer is especially easy for doodlers. It can initially be painful to those who theoretically live out of their left brain—those who are more verbal, orderly, logical, analytical, and methodical thinkers. But praying in color can take that person into a new world of prayer. Those who are more right-brained, creative, imaginative, and artistic will rejoice that they can find a new method of praying that validates who they are.

Sybil offers a multitude of ways to use this kind of prayer: as intercessory prayer, as an Advent prayer calendar, as a way to memorize Scripture, as meditative prayer centered around a word or phrase, as a method for Lectio divina, as discernment, and many more. We start with a simple shape, put a name or word within it, and pray as we add, decorate, expand, or connect parts to the central figure. This adventure in prayer is recommended for the logical person who is stuck and the artistic person whose prayer life seems dry and colorless.

If you are exploring new forms of prayer, Praying in Color is a gift from Sybil MacBeth to us.

GRATITUDE

Joanna. https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Rachel Held Evans: Searching for Sunday

Rachel Held Evans: Searching for Sunday

“This is what’s most annoying and beautiful about the windy Spirit and why we so often miss it. It has this habit of showing up in all the wrong places and among all the wrong people, defying our categories and refusing to take direction.”—Rachel Held Evans in Searching for Sunday (Nelson Books 2015), p. 196.

Our world still grieves the death of 37-year-old Rachel Held Evans on May 4th, 2019. She was a spiritual voice for many millennials, their parents, and grandparents. I treasure that we met her on her podcasts, at writing conferences, and at our cathedral in Little Rock, where she was a guest speaker.   

Larry Burton recently reviewed her book, Inspired, on this blog about interpreting some of our favorite Bible stories as Rachel wrestles with some of our most significant questions about suffering and doubt.  

Today’s writing relates to a quote from Searching for Sunday, where Rachel struggles through the liturgical year, trying to find her faith and a church community as she journeys through the sacraments.

At Pentecost, I will remember that Rachel reminds us that the wind, the Holy Spirit Jesus describes to Nicodemus, goes even to this Pharisee. Nicodemus eventually hears the wind, speaks up for Jesus at his trial, and cares for his body when most of the world abandons him.

Rachel reminds us that the Spirit is both inside and outside the traditional church if we only have eyes to see and feel it.  

There is no corner of the world where God has abandoned God’s people, even when it is hard to see God in that place or with that group of people. Rachel reminds us that we will know the Spirit when we know and see the fruit of the Spirit: peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Today, we may honor Rachel Held Evans as we pray that we may keep looking for God and the fruit of the Spirit in every possible place, as we talk about it in community and write about it as much as possible. 

Today, we are reminded of the Spirit so easily seen in all those who cared for the sick during the pandemic, those who care for the dying, those who care for friends with cancer, those caring for the starving in Africa and Gaza, and those caring for children all over the world. Continue to give them strength and courage.

Joanna. https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Bless you for supporting the ministry of our church and conference center, Camp Mitchell, on top of Petit Jean Mountain, by buying this book in the daily series of writings for the liturgical year, A Daily Spiritual Rx for Lent and Easter. If you like this book, could you briefly write a recommendation on its page on Amazon? More thank-yous than I can say!!!

Joanna. joannaseibert.com