How do we protect ourselves from anxiety and destructive thinking in these upsetting times? Today’s reflection considers two historic women and that great female teacher, Mother Nature, who might guide us on our way.
Thanks to Pikist for the image
In the sixteenth century a female mystic, Teresa of Avila, wrote a prayer:
Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass. God does not change.
Patience wins all things. They lack nothing who possess God.
God alone is enough.
“Let Nothing Disturb You”. Really? Confusion, frustration and fear are felt all around as we enter this new phase of restrictions and as cases of Covid-19 rise. Much could disturb us.
Attend to your feelings as you listen to the below Taizé chant based on Teresa’s prayer. Its words are Nada te turbe, nada te espante, quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta; Nade te turbe, nade te espante, solo Dios basta. - Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten, those who seek God shall never go wanting. Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten, God alone fills us.
Some four centuries after Teresa, Etty Hillesum, a Dutch Jew, was killed in Auschwitz. Awaiting her death in Westerbork transit camp, she wrote:
“There is a really deep well inside me. And in it dwells God. Sometimes I am there, too … And that is all we can manage these days and also all that really matters: that we safeguard that little piece of You, God, in ourselves.”
Etty often wrote letters to God from Westerbork. It would seem she practised safeguarding ‘that little piece of … God’ to such an extent that she was able eventually to write:
“I have learnt to love Westerbork.”
What a gift, to safeguard our ‘deep well’ and love the time we are in. But…how?
Jesus often prayed outside. Whether atop a mountain or on the side of one, in the wilderness or a garden, he found quiet places in creation to be alone with his Heavenly Father. He also talked about the natural world a lot and used it in his stories, encouraging people to observe and in it discover deeper messages and Holy invitations: "consider the ravens" ; "consider the wild flowers."
Read the Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 12 and verses 22 – 28.
Nature is speaking! If we use our senses to observe her and spend time reflecting, we can discover what she knows. You may like to try this exercise of prayer or reflection with a notebook in hand.
What might the Holy Spirit have to say to you about your particular worries, stresses and concerns? What wisdom for your life is to be discovered in a single acorn or the falling leaves?
You might enjoy this poem by Mary Oliver.
Finally, give thanks for the gift of and wisdom found in nature. If there's a way you can bless and care for creation, do it!