The Restorative Power of Creation

This photo was taken in one of the public beaches in Mauritius just last April. I took some time off from the day-to-day activities of the mission trip and recollected in prayer and reflection.

Many of those who read this blog are city dwellers and know that it's a treat---a wonderful getaway---to be one with nature; to be united with God in creation. Just by breathing in fresh air is enough to refresh our weary soul.  The breeze against our cheeks even tell us that God wants to be felt and desires to be personal in our prayer.

At least once a week, I so believe, we have to commune with God through nature. That's probably why parks are built -- to give us a breather from the toxicities of work and city pollution.

Perhaps we can deepen our reflection by this quote: "...the aesthetic value of creation cannot be overlooked. Our very contact with nature has a deep restorative power; contemplation of its magnificence imparts peace and serenity." (St. John Paul II, World Day of Peace, January 1, 1990)

We can derive 3 ponder points.

1. Creation is made beautiful for the delight of our souls

I don't think anyone will disagree that God's creation is amazing and beautiful. It is for us to behold and especially to preserve. Our souls well up with inspiration at the sight of a dramatic sunset or an encounter with a centuries-old tree.

2. God restores our strength through the breath of the Holy Spirit

The person of the Holy Spirit is often referred as "breath." By praying intimately to God, especially when surrounded with nature, we feel a restorative power -- as if new life was breathed into us. We are embraced by God's creation like a mother embracing and comforting her child -- even appeasing us of our wounds by blowing gentle heaps of air that soothes and heals.

3. There is peace and serenity in the magnificence of God in creation

Our hearts and minds, when enveloped in nature, are enlightened into discovering---or rediscovering---our purpose. A spiritual perspective is gained by the calmness and stillness of the setting.   When we realize the perfection of the Creator, we are reminded that we are in the loving hands of God -- the best security we can ever have; bringing us peace and serenity by being led to decide on what is right in His eyes.

We often remember St. Francis of Assisi when reflecting about God in nature. So I end with something written about him: "The whole of nature was a sacrament, where Francis would find himself in an ecstasy of prayer with eyes raised to heaven while holding a waterfowl in his hands. The world and all of its beauty was considered a gift from God." (thefranciscanfriars.org)

There is Good in Every Thing and Every One

All that God created was good. (Cf. Genesis 1) It's so good, that all creation in this world---of which are temporary and changing---are meant to direct us to the permanent and unchanging heavenly reality. There is a spirituality behind the materiality in all creation. (Cf. Augustine) That's why we "find God in all things." (Ignatius) When one sees a tree, using a spiritual lens, it is a glimpse of the beauty, complexity, and wondrousness of the Creator -- to preserve and to behold. Man's wounded nature---inclined to sin---would perverse this and would look at a tree, cut as many of these for personal gain, regardless of the consequences like flash flood or global warming. When a man sees a woman, in the truest sense of God's intended creation, it should point to its true heavenly purpose: a helpmate, a nurturer, an inspiration for life -- to be loved, honored, and respected. Man's concupiscence would dictate to view a woman as an object of sexual utility; even worse is for a woman to regard herself as such. The case would be applicable vice-versa. To see Christ in others implies our being "sons in the Son" (John Paul II); adopted children of God the Father by virtue of our salvation in Christ -- redeemed from the sin of Adam. Now when we look at a person, there is good in Him -- there is God in him; the promised Holy Spirit within man. Through the Holy Spirit in baptism we are capacitated---empowered---for goodness. Sin blocks the Holy Spirit in our lives. But "where sin increases, grace overflowed all the more" (Romans 5:20) -- and the Father's love and forgiveness cannot be outdone. We have to start having a transcending view of every thing and every one -- pointing all to a Godly purpose. Then only can we intrinsically enjoy the beauty of the gift of life. 

Christ is our Purpose

9As Jesus passed on from there,^d he saw a man named Matthew^*sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

It is inherent for man to search for meaning in his life. Whether this seeking of purpose is conscious or not, we feel that we are called to something--a role to play in the bigger scheme of things.  When we are not in communication with our Creator, it will be hard for us--His creation, to hear our calling.

Matthew, being face to face with Jesus, was struck by the truth of his calling. An experience of Christ will radically change our lives because suddenly the truth becomes clear: CHRIST IS OUR PURPOSE.

Following Christ then is the most spiritual and most logical decision we can ever make.

Finding Happiness in all of God's Creation

In 1226, St. Francis died while preaching Psalm141. I just find that amazing. He served the Lord until his last breath. What lead me to reflect on St. Francis is because of a statue of him that I saw in the venue of our planning in Bohol. He was among the different animals, particularly a hawk and a monkey. It was told that St. Francis preached even to birds and a particular wolf, calling them sister bird and brother wolf. " Francis preached the teaching of the Catholic Church, that the world was created good and beautiful by God but suffers a need for redemption because of the primordial sin of man. He preached to man and beast the universal ability and duty of all creatures to praise God (a common theme in the Psalms) and the duty of men to protect and enjoy nature as both the stewards of God's creation and as creatures ourselves (Wikipedia)."

Have you ever stood on an overlooking view of God's mighty creation? The scene just takes your breath away. Like St. Francis, we have to appreciate God in all His creation. By having this outlook we become grateful people. As I am writing this reflection, I am at sea on the way to Cebu from Bohol. I thank God for the vastness of the sea and the life that is in it.

Without a grateful heart, we become perenial complainers. The danger is when complaining becomes a habit for us. It's when we find fault in almost any situation or discontent with what we have been blessed. We have to develop an appreciation for God's everyday miracles. Francis' outlook was of joy and great appreciation for all of the life God created. He even referred to the sun and moon as Brother Sun and Sister Moon. There is nothing that can rob God's joy from this saint.

What makes you truly happy?

We realize that the things that give us real joy are given by God for free. For me, my heart bursts with joy when I am with my family. Happiness that is born out of greed or lust are temporary and are meant to lure and trap us. Francis found the ultimate happiness, the love of Christ. many of us have already found Christ, it is just a matter now of seeing Christ in all of God's creation.

Prayer Time Above the Clouds

Flying from Sydney to Auckland, 6:15am, March 6, 2011

How often do we really get to have a chance to have our prayer time on an airplane? So, i grabbed that chance.  As I was about to start, an amazing and breathtaking scenery of clouds greeted me.  Normally I would take a picture of the beautiful scene. But since our camera broke, I would have to record what I've seen through prose.  I also realize that at the time of the apostles 2,000 years ago, there were no planes and they didn't have a chance to go 40,000 feet above ground (Oh well maybe Elijah who was taken up to heaven with a whirlwind). So, here's an account of what I saw and my prayer to our great and mighty Lord of all creation.

Islands of Clouds

The clouds are like the islands
as if you can walk on them
Yes, islands of clouds, are what they are

The horizon radiates in captivating shades of red to blue
How beautiful Your works O Lord,
how majestic Your creation

The sun extends its rays as the morning breaks
How warm is Your love O Lord,
how bright is the hope that wakes us from slumber

Your glory appears before me
The heavens shout in praise of You
Alleluia! You are God Most High

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5).