The White Violet Center for Ecojustice Workshop with Diarmuid O'Murchu proved to be quite interesting. I come away challenged to be more active in justice making, and still marveling and pondering the 13.7 billion year old story that now is our story.
Birth, death and re-birth are an ongoing cycle of creation. Scientist tell us that the first generation of stars following the Big Bang operated only on hydrogen and helium. They had to die and explode to create the additional elements like carbon that make biological life possible.
Embracing this big cosmological perspective on life has been another Promised Land sighting for me. As Diarmuid quotes St. Thomas Aquainas, "If we don't understand creation correctly, we can't hope to understand God correctly."
On one of the last days at Tantur, someone shared a prayer written by Diarmuid O'Murchu, which segued me nicely into last weekend's workshop. I think now that this Irish priest has helped get me ready for the next leg in my journey, connecting with extended family in N. Ireland, and learning about Celtic spirituality at Iona, Scotland.
Ben and I made it home OK, but the 31 hour day left us pretty tired. As I've been reflecting on the whole Israel experience, I realize that my reading and ruminating on Scripture will now take on new dimensions. I'll be more in tune with Middle Eastern culture and the lay of the land. For example, Isaiah's many metaphors have already become more alive for me.
Today, I've begun the next leg of this sabbatical journey, by traveling to th
e White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute, Indiana. I came a few days early for an Eco-Justice Workshop presentation by Father Diarmuid O'Murchu. This gives me the chance to have some retreat time and to learn more about the work of White Violet. I was graced to see the newest member of the Alpaca herd, Providence Amber, born at 8:30 AM. When I saw her after lunch, about 12:30 PM, she was already ambling about and looking somewhat comfortable in her new world. In meeting some of the other Alpacas, on first impression, I perceive them to be rather calm in nature, living with a sense of pleasant satisfaction. I think that there is an important living in the Promised Land lesson to be learned here.
Embracing this big cosmological perspective on life has been another Promised Land sighting for me. As Diarmuid quotes St. Thomas Aquainas, "If we don't understand creation correctly, we can't hope to understand God correctly."
