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Some reflections on what God is revealing to us today through Creation.
Sr. Bridget Pritchard from the English Province, is a member of both the Ty Croeso Retreat Centre team and the Province’s JPIC Commission. She also works with various parish and school groups and with Christians of other denominations. During the last two years she has shared her insights on Creation Spirituality by posting several articles on Facebook. Here are two of these reflections of what God is revealing to us in Creation.
The locust
As a pupil in school I became quite alarmed one day to find the locusts in the cage hanging from their branches, dead. I was assured that they were not dead but what I perceived to be a dead animal was in fact its empty shell that it had outgrown.
It seems that locusts have an exoskeleton. Unlike us, locusts have their skeletons on the outside and wear it like protective armour. There is an obvious advantage to this, though there is also a definite disadvantage.
Living inside this hardened case means that
growth becomes difficult. In order for the animal to grow it has to shed this armour. This leaves the animal very vulnerable to predators until its new shell has hardened. The animal has to let go of its security if it wishes to grow. In fact, there is no choice- it’s ‘grow or die’.
For me, this speaks of my image of God. I can hold on to the image I had as a child even though it is no longer helpful, no longer fits with what I knownow. I need the courage to let it go. This leaves me feeling vulnerable
A thought
In Laudato Si Pope Francis says....
“……If we want to bring about deep change, we need to realize that certain mind sets really do influence our behaviour. Our efforts at education will be inadequate and ineffectual unless we strive to promote a new way of thinking about human beings, life, society and our relationship with nature.” (L Si 215)
This calls me to step out into the unknown. To let go and let the new emerge.It feels like attempting to walk on water and trusting that God is there.And God is there. This is the certainty amongst all the uncertainties, the unchanging amongst all the changes. God is the good parent – supporting me in my growth. This is my security. I listen to the words, “Do not be afraid”. This enables me to let go and feel the vulnerability. This feeds my relationship with God and others. This is where I am alive, this is where I grow.
How does this speak to you today?
Caterpillars and Butterflies
Most people know that caterpillars become butterflies. I taught this for many years and I would try and imagine which bit of the caterpillar became the equivalent part of the butterfly. I would never have imagined what is coming to light now.
We are told that as the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly begins, all structures disintegrate to make a kind of creative soup in the chrysalis. New and different cells emerge in this soup. These are known as imaginal cells because they hold an image of what the butterfly – the new life, will be like.
To begin with, the caterpillar cells regard the new cells as aliens, intruders and destroy them. But the new cells continue to appear in greater and greater numbers until they overwhelm the defence system of the caterpillar. The old order is gone and the butterfly emerges triumphant. This change from caterpillar to a butterfly is a powerful metaphor for the transformation of society.
Some people in society are like these imaginal cells. They see the possibility of something new and wonderful happening. They carry in them a vision or image of a better world.
Initially they are seen as a problem, disturbers of the present, destroyers of the old society which had always been seen as ‘the good life’ even though it no longer works and was never ‘good’ for everyone. The immune response of the old society is to get rid of them. But the imaginal individuals keep coming. They get together in groups as they find this is a more efficient way of bringing the new life.
A thought
I can see chaos around me but how do I respond?
I can complain and become dis-empowered with a sense of hopelessness or I can see this as a symptom that the old order is collapsing and waiting to be transformed into new life.
One of the most powerful ways to help bring about change is to identify the imaginal individuals in society and support them. If I want to be a part of a different world where love and compassion are paramount then I am an imaginal cell too.
To be part of this life giving movement I need to…
ü really want it;
ü believe that it will happen;
ü make choices that will bring the idea to birth.,
ü use my intelligence and all my other gifts to bring it about.
A sure sign of something good is happening when results are achieved against all the odds.
We are part of Gods ongoing creation and God is waiting to work through us. All over the world people are having similar thoughts, desires wanting to make a difference and we can make links and support them.
There will be real change when we know in our hearts that we are one, and everythought, feeling, word and deed affect the whole. I am one part of a sacred web of interconnection and creativity.
What am I waiting for?
Where do I see the signs of new life and how do I support it?
What transformation is waiting to happen in me?
Prayer of becoming
Godof new creation
On the journey from caterpillar to butterfly
keep us faithful to that soupy stage
when structures fall apart.
When we have lost sight of who we were
and cannot yet grasp
who we are to become,
give us courage to keep going.
Strengthen our confidence,
that the new thing
you desire to do in us
and through us will be full of your glory. Amen
(Rachel Parkinson, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District Chair)
- the Methodist equivalent of Bishop
