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Daily Reflections
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| 2004 | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
| 2005 | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
| 2006 | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
| 2007 | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
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Click on date below to read the day's reflection:
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March 2004 Reflections
March 1 Backyard Gardening
March 2 Fasting and Feasting
March 3 Know Tree Benefits
March 4 Return to Reverence
March 5 Becoming our Land
March 6 Honoring Elders
March 7 Consolation through Transfiguration
March 8 Garden Variety Selection
March 9 Prune Trees and Shrubs
March 10 Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers
March 11 Praying from the Heart: Sacred Space
March 12 Honor the Sabbath
March 13 An Underground House
March 14 Living Water
March 15 Establish Quiet Zones
March 16 Mobilize Senior Citizens
March 17 Think Organic Green
March 18 Non-Timber Forest Products
March 19 Watch for the Birds
March 20 Celebrate Spring's Arrival with Greens
March 21 The Blind Man and Faith
March 22 Green Recreation Activities
March 23 Sharing a Limited Habitat
March 24 Travel Lightly
March 25 The Incarnation
March 26 Genetic Engineering?
March 27 Harness Wind Power
March 28 Adulterous Woman
March 29 Solar-Powered Car
March 30 Metanoia
March 31 Faith, Fiction and Fantasy
March 1, 2004 Backyard Gardening
Many have the urge in March to grow a garden. With some
encouragement, a little space, seeds and tools the task is a
possibility.
Survey the place. Plot our the space and find out the type of
soil around the house (it may be fill dirt), the amount of sun or
insolation on the area (trees or buildings may partly block the
sun), and the condition of the surface ("wire" or crabgrass may
have taken over the area). If the task of preparing the soil is
going to take effort, either enlist help, get a power tool, or
scale back expectations for the first year.
Multipurpose space. Most of us have to be creative with the
limited external domestic space available. In space-starved areas
plant while allowing playing areas for kids, picnic areas, and sun
and entertainment space. Backyard gardening may include seed
plants for birds or flowers for butterflies.
Plan what to plant. Selections are based on what the residents
like to eat and on what can grow best in the given space. Shady
areas should be planted with certain greens and other vegetables
such as cucumbers which like the shade. Crops such as corn should
not be planted in limited space. Pumpkins or gourds are okay
provided they could run across non-tilled green space. Consider
native plants which thrive and are more hearty. If perennial, they
take less care and do not need to be planted again each year.
Start early and small. To begin at the earliest possible time
is the secret to good gardening. Some early sowing may not survive
but covering tender plants with cloth or newspaper on cold nights
could assist in achieving the early garden. Don't overplant one or
other vegetable unless you really like them. People tire of excess
produce and prefer variety (see March 8th). Some of these selected
herbs, flowers or vegetables can be placed in pots which take less
room and can be rearranged during times of recreational use of the
growing space. The walls of the house or out buildings could serve
as back wall for a lattice for vines such as tomatoes, peas, beans,
grapes or kiwis.
Consider aesthetical aspects. Gardeners are like painters who
are drawn to envision what the place will look like in spring,
summer and autumn. Throughout the year the color-changing
landscape makes the challenge all the greater. Will colors blend
well with the changing background? Are gardeners willing to
undergo trial and error of several growing seasons to perfect the
garden picture? Does the garden enhance the residence itself?
Document gardening progress. Keep records of types of
vegetables and yields, a map of planted areas for future reference,
notes on weather or unusual conditions or pests, and also pictures
of the garden during various seasons of the year.
March 2, 2004 Fasting and Feasting
Fasting can be a fairly short undertaking for some of us who
find it difficult because we like to eat frequently and find the
periods between regular meals to be periods of headaches and
general weakness. As senior years come, and the mild Church rules
exempt those older than 59 from fasting, we feel more free to do
what we can in other forms of self abnegation ranging from less
entertainment to greater sharing of time with those in need. But
expanding bellies and increasing weight make fasting a good thing
to look forward to in Lent, that most opportune time of the year,
when winter wanes and just before outdoor work begins in earnest.
The fasting season. Actually for those who like food, Lent is
sandwiched between Mardi Gras and Easter, both known for some
degree of feasting. The Cajuns in Louisiana have a traditional
gumbo made from all the leftovers such as chicken and animal fats
which are to be used up before the fasting season. It becomes a
community exercise which expresses the desire to feast together
before and fast together during Lent, so that all may rightly feast
together after Lent when celebrating the rising of the Lord.
Spiritual aspects. Fasting is difficult and is counter to the
natural tendencies to fill the belly with goodies. Fasting opens
the mind to spiritual matters, move one to repentance, enlivens the
soul, sharpens a spiritual focus, and improve one's daily conduct.
The Christian realizes that fasting has both a spiritual and a
physical dimension and that a spirituality that omits concern for
the body is not an authentic one.
Physical aspects. We know that the body enlivens the spirit
and the care for physical and spiritual life gives a greater degree
of unity to the human person. The need to review and curb certain
eating habits is a good practice, for dietary practices are
involved in about half of all physical maladies, from high blood
pressure to obesity. To fast is to control weight gain, but that
is easier said than done. Older people see their muscle turn to
fat and sustaining muscle takes far more energy than maintaining
fat. Thus the weight increase of older years is linked with less
physical activity.
Suggestions. Several suggestions for those who fast include:
occupy the mind with non-food thoughts; drink more water to
replace the desire for food; keep snacks and rich or fatty foods
at an inconvenient distance; and offer up the fasting effort for a
particular person each day, so that the benefits are both
individual and social. We should remember that the Lord teaches us
to fast in silence, so that only God knows what is happening.
Aftermath. And when the fasting period expires, don't hesitate
to feast (moderately) with a good spirit and refreshed soul.
Fasting in Lent is part of a transitory activity. We are preparing
ourselves for Easter and the risen Lord; we are also preparing
ourselves for the coming of God's Kingdom.
March 3, 2004 Know Tree Benefits
Common benefits: Most people can list a series of benefits from
trees from fuel wood and foliage to fruit and nuts. Most of us see
trees for their beauty, and thus find an aesthetic benefit which does
not have immediate utilitarian value. Trees, and the leaf litter
under them, permit the soil to act like a sponge and take in much of
the fall rain and retain it so it will not immediately run off.
Trees help restore and replenish water tables and aquifers as well as
retarding the runoff and thus reducing soil erosion.
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide. In elementary general science classes
students learn that forests are like the lungs of the Earth, except
that flora take in the carbon dioxide and give off the oxygen we need
to live. Most people have also heard that trees take up some of the
excess carbon dioxide now being released by our fossil fuel economy,
and thus act as air purifiers. In fact, the trees of the world
utilize billions of tons of carbon dioxide every year.
Trees as shade and wind break. We know that trees furnish shade
in our individual lawn and home, but that has extended benefits as
well. Entire countries like Haiti, which have experienced
deforestation, find that the previous condensation of moisture into
rain over cooler shaded land masses no longer occurs when the dense
green forest cover is missing. The climate is affected by the
presence or absence of trees in more ways than just reducing the
effects of global warming. Urban areas are simply cooler in summer
when urban forestry is taken seriously enough to ensure tree cover
for residential areas. When in summer we move from urban areas to a
forest, we can experience the temperature difference. Urban trees
save energy otherwise expended for air-conditioning.
Trees as economic advantages. Trees found on lawns or near
residences often enhance the resale value of property.
Trees as Protection. Birds and animals find protection in the
dense growth and so gravitate there to roost or nest. Though giving
cooling effect in summer, the tree covered areas reduce the wind
chill and offer a safer and warmer haven in winter time. While
forests can offer privacy for residents, they may be regarded by some
as dangerous secluded places.
Trees as Social Benefits. Drs. William Sullivan and Frances
Kuo of the University of Illinois interviewed three hundred residents
of buildings of identical architecture. The only difference was that
half the buildings were surrounded by trees and half the buildings by
urban deserts of concrete. Where there was "accessible nature,"
people reported stronger ties and better relations with their
neighbors than did individuals in the more barren housing areas.
Individuals near pockets of trees felt safer and had less violence in
their homes, and would be most likely to use reasoning to overcome
conflict. The researchers found that trees reduced mental fatigue
and people were more likely to be future-oriented and to generate
creative solutions to problems.
March 4, 2004 Return to Reverence
A Bygone Age. Respectful relations, courtesy and proper manners
may be wishful thinking about our past. However, examples from
abrupt e-mail to foul-sounding talk shows, from rude driving habits
to curt everyday discussion makes us wonder whether civility is
eroding in our land. Do we still respect -- our past, our family
life, our neighbors, our religious practice, our state and nation and
the leaders, our environment, the political process, commercial and
professional advice, and our elders and wise folks? Is it possible
that we have allowed the erosion of respect through silence when we
should have spoken, through our own haste and lack of manners, or
through pranks, jokes, back-biting, unresolved disputes and cynicism?
Has a past courteous respect wasted away, or was it ever there? Did
it erode imperceptibly through commercialism, wars, legalizing
abortion, crass exploitation of the land, and the ever expanding gulf
between the rich and poor? What about MTV, ready cash through
credit cards, talk about rights alone instead of rights and
responsibilities, and ease of access to unprocessed information?
The good old days. Maybe we were respectful in the past, but
that may be quite romantic hindsight. Whatever the past in its
fullness, we get clues that there is a lack of reverence today for
life, for country, for leaders, or for church practice. "I for me"
can play havoc to any common atmosphere of respect. To pay respects
to someone who is sick or to the bereaved is an age old custom. To
pause when the funeral passes is still another such practice. To
welcome people into a community, to offer a seat to an elderly
person, or to send get well cards are expressions of respect.
Why eroding? Why is respect eroding? Is it a decadence in our
culture? Is it the break down of marriage, family, community and
neighborhood all occur when respect for others fail. Is there a
championing of irreverence and informality in Hollywood and the mass
media? Is there a need to champion a return to reverence? Some
suggest that the breakdown in reverence extends both to the people
and to the Earth itself -- broken down communities and broken down
biosystems as mountains are leveled, valleys filled, and the
vegetative cover stripped away to satisfy distant chipmills. If we
are persuaded to think our region is nearly worthless, then we are
being lulled into silence when the destruction proceeds. When
corporate campaigns of materialistic advertisement bombard us with
the irrelevant and the sensual, it is apparent that any sense of
reverence fades away and we are left isolated and powerless to change
the tide of events.
Regaining Respect. Maybe we begin with the formality of our
prayer life. This is the start at regaining reverence for the God
within, for our own existence as temples of the Holy Spirit, and for
our relations with each and every person around us. Do we treat
others with reverence? Few people confess irreverence as a fault or
a sin, but it does lie behind many of the other faults we perform.
A certain formality may be where Americans regain a respect for
respect and thus regain local and national civility in institutions.
March 5, 2004 Becoming Our Land
We become our land because we are rooted in it, we see it as
mother of us all, we are able to find a unity with others through the
tilling of it, and we love it with a love that fertilizes it and
allows it to be fruitful. Like beloved plants and animals, the land
itself knows when it is loved. We become like the Creator in the
love we give, a love that knows no bounds and allows us to extend
this in a universal manner to all the creation around us.
Tillers of the land. We are not God; we cannot do everything.
But we can do some small things with divine help. Our modest
individual efforts are important, but quite limited in the scale of
world history. We are not miracle workers. When taken together with
others we do make a difference, and thus we see the importance of
individual acts becoming cooperative endeavors. While each tiller
of the soil is unique and maybe gifted, all collectively contribute
to the whole -- and are needed for the health of the whole Earth.
That is because we see that the cooperative spirit yields something
more than the sum of individual efforts. The cooperative worker
inspires others and motivates them to participate in the greater
good; the inspiration spreads like a virus, a catalytic vitality
extending throughout the surface of the Earth itself. It is like
rhizomes extending from our rootedness in the Earth.
Assimilating the land's produce. Land is able to produce our
food and make us better for working with it. When we eat we take in
the land now turned to produce. We become our land when we eat and
assimilate the produce grown on it. We do not wish to "become" some
distant state or country like others who buy all their food at the
supermarket. Rather, through domestic gardening we become our very
land, and our land becomes us. We are truly localized and rooted in
this place, something missed by people who get food from distant
countries or states. Becoming home bound is a rather complex process
which includes eating local produce.
Eucharist of the Land. We assimilate our land's produce and
through this eating with the love shown to us in God becoming
incarnate, we lovingly become one with the land and the flora and
fauna on the land. We pattern the divine condescension to become one
like us in our humanity, for through love we give further meaning to
all the other creatures on the Earth. Just as the God-man is a
bonding of divinity and humanity within the human family, so we human
beings as part of the Divine Family now bond the Earth itself,
extending in our own sacrifices what is wanting in the sufferings of
Christ to other creatures. We become united to our Earth.
Humility. In touching the land and in consuming the produce we
because part of the body of the Earth in a very special way. It is
an act of love that patterns the coming of the Word among us. We
become word with meaning going to all the Earth. And this is a
humble act of utmost importance in the ongoing process of healing the
Earth.
Elderhood comes far too quickly, but it comes to those whose
classmates and friends have long since retired to warmer climes of
Florida and Arizona. For me, I refuse to use the "R" word, but then
there should be recognition that what is required of younger folks
does not hold for those of us in the advancing age of wisdom. I
affirm this because numerous institutions and groups would like for
me to undertake this or that activity, which I find increasingly
burdensome and distracting from the work now at hand -- especially
since our physical and mental powers may be starting to wane.
Honor non-attendance. I try to avoid going to events where I am
expected to sit in an audience and listen to presenters. In other
words, conferences, workshops, and other gatherings where an old
fellow is expected to act like a student have no attraction when one
is past seventy. Those silent listening days are almost over.
Lecturers date from the Middle Ages and beyond, when there was not
enough writing or reading materials in schools for learners. But
libraries, faxes, e-mails, phones, web sites and readily available
low-priced books have changed all of that. I say often "please honor
my age by not making me a warm body for some event -- even though the
sponsors sincerely hope for my betterment and a larger audience."
Elders should have the experience to know what will be profitable --
and their choices should be honored.
New possibilities. As for new learning possibilities, the elder
has to be the judge. We early 21st century elders are overloaded
with information to the point of mental stress. But old age is a
time of giving, and there is little time left for us to give. It is
a time of reflection, but that is not valued in our society. It is
a time of interchange but that has to be done to some degree in a
manner that is more fitting to our condition. I have decided at 70
to put up a help wanted sign. "Help me make better use of my elder
status."
March 7, 2004 Consolation through Transfiguration
This is my chosen son; listen to him. (Luke 9:34)
The message of the Transfiguration which we read again each Lent
is filled with consolation. Jesus needs to be prepared for the
mission which he is soon to undergo -- and so does the disciples.
They are to see ahead the glory that is to come and to prepare for it
with minds and hearts set on what will come after the barriers and
oppression of the immediate future. To be transfigured is to
anticipate the state that is to come, and to live as though it is
rapidly approaching -- for it is. The vision of a greater world
gives the energy to undergo the knocks of the present world.
Nature's Consolation. Life will definitely be better than what
it is now. The journey of life is something which keeps us pinned
down to seeing only the steps immediately in front of us.
Occasionally we come to the hilltop, a vista from which we see ahead.
Wasn't the Transfiguration event on an beautiful mountaintop
overlooking the lake and the fresh landscape of the rolling hills of
Galilee. On the journey of life, we move along doggedly, step-by-
step, and then we suddenly come to a clearing. We stop for a brief
moment to rest. The sun breaks through the clouds, and we strain to
observe and listen to nature -- the mourning dove, the robin and the
distant crow. It's a world we have so often ignored. Late winter
has its variation in shades. The shapes of trees take on a
pronounced design before being reclothed with leaves in six weeks.
Spiritual Consolation. We all need to have the consoling touch
of God's hand in our lives. We are not tough guys who can make it
through life with nothing but a promise. A good word, a pat on the
back, a smile -- all these are the seasoning which makes the everyday
life flavorful and able to be lived. We need these bits of
encouragement, and the Lord of mercy and kindly love offers them to
us, the hand-picked and chosen ones. We are blessed, and if we but
listen, we will find the consoling spirit in the seas of love in
which we are immersed as a babe in the womb.
Listening through Prayer. Lent reminds us to be awake and
conversing with the Lord as are Moses and Elijah. We converse and
listen through the prayer that we are called to engage in each day
for some period of time. We must pray and find the Lord, and then
upon preparing ourselves in place and condition, we are to listen
attentively as though pausing on a daily journey and gazing
attentively ahead. This is more than resting in a scenic place on a
hike; it is the pause that truly refreshes in our spiritual life.
Perpetua (noble woman with small child and pregnant servant
Felicity) in 203 went against the pleading of her dad to just add a
pinch of incense at the Emperor's shrine. Many Christian broke down
and did just that, for it took so little to be kept alive and pretend
not to deny one's faith. What would you or I do if confronted with
a similar circumstance? Many even churchmen capitulated and offered
incense. But Perpetua and her several companions did not succumb but
persevered to the end. And for the Church this is a great consolation.
March 8, 2004 Garden Variety Selection
Several factors go into selecting crops for the upcoming garden.
* Desirability -- Important factors include: What do the
gardeners and the household enjoy eating most? Or what types of
produce can be preserved with the least inconvenience and effort?
People do not want to plant varieties that will not be used or are
quite difficult to grow or to preserve. All growers have to
specialize to some degree, while allowing some change in our tastes
over time and thus gradual introduction of a few new varieties each
year.
* Soil -- What can and cannot grow on a particular piece of land?
How much organic matter is present? If a crop needs sandy soil, then
very tight clay will not do. Soil can be improved by addition of
sawdust, sand and/or humus materials.
* Microclimate -- General climate zones are found in most
gardening books and these can prove helpful in seed selection.
However, we need to recognize local microclimates because there are
great differences depending on which side of a hill a garden is
located, whether on high ground or river bottom, and how near the
land is to forested areas. Some regions experience early or late
frosts, and these determine selection of certain varieties.
* Space and Placement Limitations -- Some vegetables take more
space to grow (land extensive) such as pumpkins or corn. An economy
of space may limit how much of such crops are grown. Some vegetables
are tall and some squat. Put taller growing plants (corn, Jerusalem
artichokes, caster beans or sunflowers), or those growing on
trellises on the northern side, so these do not block the sun from
lower growing vegetables.
* Amount of Sun -- Plants require differing amounts of sunlight.
A major determinant is how much sun falls on a particular site
throughout the year. This does not take year-round checking to
determine. Insolation on a given site or portion of a site can be
established by the use of a Solar Pathfinder --
Address: <www solarpathfinder.com>
phone/fax (931) 593-3552
* Crop Rotation -- Grow different plant families on the
particular spot in succeeding years both to reduce the possibility of
pests and for better use of nutrients. This is the reason to keep
yearly maps of what is grown to be referred to when our memory
becomes less clear.
* Faster Growing Varieties -- Omit planting slow-growing plants
when you hope to have two crops in a single growing year. Parsnips,
peanuts, and salsify grow quite slowly but can be interplanted with
ease. Spring greens planted in between rows of peanuts can be
harvested before the space is needed by the peanuts.
March 9, 2004 Prune Trees and Shrubs
It is time to think of your trees, vines and berry canes. This
is especially true for those you have planted for plentiful fruit in
the coming summer. While late winter and early spring is normally
pruning time for woody species in our part of the country, still a
longer season is possible depending on the species. Some prune on
warmer late fall and early winter days as well. An exception to the
late winter/early spring pruning rule is the sweet cherry which is
pruned in August because there is less danger of bacterial infection.
General benefits. Properly pruned and trained trees live longer
and produce largest yields of better quality fruit. A well pruned
tree is more accessible in harvest time as well. The sense of care
and love for the property is immediately evident in a well pruned
orchard or yard and this adds to the beauty of the place.
Pruner benefits. The act of pruning is truly an expression of
good art. We are configuring the tree to our image of an ideal
shape. It is far closer to sculpturing than some would admit. In
fact, one can get lost in the process of pruning after the first
shoots and dead wood is removed. People who prune admit to the sense
of enjoyment which comes in making the tree into a more perfect
shape.
The art itself. A beginning pruner should accompany an
experienced pruner and learn tips from that person in what to leave
and what to cut. Generally beginners tend to leave too much but that
is not always the case. When overcut there is little room for
repair. Fruit trees can be trained to either an "open-center" or to
a "central leader." Fully dwarfed apples and standard and dwarf
pear trees should be trained to either a central leader or an open-
center crown. Standard apples, sweet cherries, peaches, and plum
trees should all be trained to the open-center system. Pruning
extends to the shade trees, which are planted for shading and wind
protection. Do your own removal of dead limbs or branches, unsightly
parts of trees, sprouting along the main trunk, "V" crotches on
younger trees, branches that interfere with utility liens, branches
that rub or cross another, and all top branches but the one nearest
the vertical (for trees where a single leader is normal).
March 10, 2004 Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers
Environmentally-concerned people have almost knee-jerk reactions,
and one of these relates to the benefits of the natural versus the
synthetic product, whether it be fertilizers or food coloring.
However, while choices in many categories are fairly straightforward,
the world is not that simple. The choice may in some instances
depend on a number of factors. With regard to fabric, one would like
to know the need, how the natural fiber is obtained, how long each
fabric will last, and the recyclability of products.
Preferences. Some people have a bias for cotton, for it is cool,
does not cause skin rashes, is breathable and absorbent, and is
generally cheaper than other fabrics. However, that is not the end
of the story. A synthetic may last longer, may be easier to wash
and/or dry, hold its shape, size and color, be lighter and easier to
pack, and feel just right. In such choices, there may be a mix of
personal preferences and scientific fact. This becomes more complex
when new synthetics are produced which are quite breathable, are
longer wearing, and are relatively lower in cost.
Environmental Considerations. How is the fiber produced? Are
non-renewable resources such as oil needed in growing the cotton or
hemp, as well as in the processing? Generally, the amount of
petroleum used in producing a natural material for fabrics will not
equal the petroleum used to synthesize fabrics from petrochemicals.
However, many natural as well as synthetic fibers require non-
renewable fuel in some stage of production. Among American
agricultural crops, cotton is the heaviest pesticide user, though one
can now buy organic cotton. Growing crops for natural fibers where
land disturbance occurs causes soil erosion. For centuries, cotton
mill workers have gotten "white lung," though conditions today are
generally far less harsh in industrialized lands than formerly.
Sometimes child labor produces the garment from natural fiber.
Wool, a Favorite. Perhaps the natural fiber with the lowest
environmental impact is wool, provided the sheep do not overgraze
pasturelands, are not competing with endangered plant species, and do
not allow the introduction of exotic species through the feeding
process. Wool is warm, generally long wearing and has a pleasant
appearance, though some synthetics also have these characteristics.
Choice criteria. All else being equal, choose locally grown
natural fibers for fabric materials; give preference to wool products
from locally pastured animals if the product is comfortable and good
from wear in season; buy goods with long-wearing fabrics, especially
for youth and those needing rugged and special materials such as in
hiking or mountain climbing; use only fabrics that do not cause
allergies and are healthy and comfortable; take into consideration
laundry and Permipress characteristics; reuse and recycle clothes and
other cloth products; and refrain from buying an article if it is
only motivated by fashion change.
March 11, 2004 Praying from the Heart: Sacred Space
An old lady on the southern front porch rocking chair says,
"sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits."
Create sacred space. We all look for familiar space to reflect
and pray and where we find God in the silence of our hearts.
Interior progress and spiritual growth demands this silence of the
heart, a peaceful environment that comes with awareness of communion
with the Almighty. This peace of soul which results from communion
with God is wrapped in silence -- the very grounds on which progress
of the spirit is possible.
A challenge. The massive invasion of privacy in our intrusive
modern age makes a discovery or creation of silent space a major
challenge. We are all bombarded by noise and by interruptions and
the breaking into our own private space. E-mails, phones,
television, street noises, the needs of children and a host of other
interruptions affect average people, for whom this message is
directed.
The need by all. Silence of the heart is needed by all, but it
is of special importance to immobile individuals (confined prisoner,
physically ill, severely challenged), or to care-givers responsible
for the lives of others, or to the "we" who suffer in our everyday
encounters with noise. Creating silent space need not be solely an
individual undertaking. Sacred space may be created with others,
namely partners or friends when and where physical silent space is
limited. In fact, some people prefer communal prayer, the praying
with others as opposed to private prayer.
Natural sacred space. Ideal sacred space is where all senses are
in tune with the creator. I found a favorite rock on a bluff
overlooking the Rockcastle River; the huckleberries, singing birds,
swaying trees and sassafras smell added to the rough warm rocks to
give of sense of divine nearness. The more all the senses are
involved, the more ideal the sacred space under normal conditions.
Thus we should not sacrifice environment if we can have the luxury
and opportunity to retreat to more natural settings.
Constructed sacred space. Churches, when open for reflection,
are also ideal for retreat from the noisy world. The reserved Sacred
Species is an ideal place where urban dwellers gravitate and
fittingly so. The warmth of the Lord is immediately experienced.
Wayside chapels and shrines have been favorite sacred places in
certain cultures with deep religious traditions. America is not
generally blessed with such readily accessible places.
Reminder about ultimate sacred space. A federal prisoner
complained about the lack of quiet space, but needed to be reminded
that God helps us create our sacred space. While certain
surroundings may be more conducive to finding silence, they are not
absolutely necessary. Through divine power all are able to commune
with God in the ultimate privacy of their own hearts.
March 12, 2004 Honor the Sabbath
My father, a successful Kentucky farmer, said he could recognize
a farm where the person never honored the Sabbath's rest. The place
betrayed a lack of proper planning. A need for sabbatical rest
extends beyond farmers to other people and creatures and to the land
itself -- which needs its sabbatical rest as well. The demise of the
Blue Laws that forbade working on Sunday (or Saturday) is not a
blessing. People need their time of rest, and this includes those
who service fast foods restaurants and shopping malls, all now
frequented seven days a week -- and especially on weekends. Service
employees struggle to grind on, day after day, and often at several
jobs to make ends meet. Routine becomes unbearable, if each worker
does not experience regular breaks -- not just within the day but of
extended lengths of time in the week and even the year (vacations).
Reflections. Keeping holy the Sabbath is one of the least
observed of the Commandments. People today prefer to look the other
way, and to shop and do a million chores on Sunday -- and so some
can't keep the Lord's Day holy. It is noted in the Old Testament
reading (Deuteronomy 5:12-15) that the emphasis is not on the resting
after Creation, but on the liberation of the people from the slavery
of Egypt, and the freedom that comes with having one day off when
people can do what they like. The freedom from slavery for a mere
day a week is a notable achievement. Consider that the Greeks had
toys operated by steam, yet they never harnessed steam to do human
work. They had no incentive because they kept slaves at work so they
could have their time of leisure and reflection. The monks of the
"Dark Ages" finally harnessed wind and water to do the work that
others once did by hand or the treadmills. They did so that all
including slaves and serfs may have time to pray and reflect on life.
New Testament Reflections. Necessary functions were allowed even
in the strictest of the Old Testament restrictions on work on the
Sabbath. We do not so much put the emphasis on the day, but the
giving of love, service and respect to God. Jesus realizes that his
disciples are hungry and thus pick grain and eat it. However, this
is contrary to the faultfinders' code of activity. They are like
hawks preparing to swoop on the prey. They are circling overhead and
even when Jesus heals a person or makes one whole on the Sabbath,
they find something wrong and worthy of death. To heal or make whole
is fundamental to our life and certainly is to be allowed, but Jesus
says more. We are free to celebrate the Sabbath, and in that freedom
we have room to operate.
The term sabbatical generally applies to time taken off after a
number of years of academic or professional work. Through the change
of pace of a sabbatical the person would become more creative and
productively energized. Thus reduction of stressful situations
should be a prominent factor in choice of a planned sabbatical. It
should be noted that family leaves are now being built into work
agreements. Such arrangements allow for the solitude necessary to
mend fractured emotional lives -- be it quiet time, visit to friends
or grieving therapy or counseling sessions. Family leaves are often
coupled with the arrival of a child, special care for an elderly
relative, or during the period of serious legal dispute or divorce.
Times for a Break. We can't take a break as often as we might
like, but there are times when stresses build up for many reasons.
It is time to have a rest and to take it at an unexpected time. For
some, the time may be a "free day." Others can afford a "free week"
and a very few a "free month." Whatever the need and circumstance,
it is important to see that free time, with no ordinary work routine,
is important to honor. This modern age proclaims busyness to be the
sign of success and fulfillment. It is an opportune time to take off
and find space for thoughtful prayer and reflection. Just let
everything else go for a while. If God, the creator of all, gives us
new life, then it is important to show that life's gifts are not from
us or our added efforts. We rest because God rests in us. With time
and prayerful reflection we start to realize this great mystery of
God's presence. We are more able to appreciate rest time for it
reminds us that God's working is the important matter, not ours.
Positive advantages. Underground homes seem ideal in many
respects: they use the earth itself for insulation and for cooling
in summer; they do not need all the decorative siding and upkeep of
above-ground houses; they are more easily protected from theft, fire
and tornadoes; they allow the landscape to be free of buildings and
leave space for gardening and greenspace; the surrounding earth
muffles street and traffic noises; they do not require roof
maintenance by those afraid of heights; they have no gutter-fixing
chores, nor need for ladders; they can be cool retreats for those
living a stressful lifestyle; and they are good conversation pieces.
Negatives. Underground homes may be expensive to build due to
excavation and reenforcement costs of the ceilings with costly
concrete and steel. Underground homes may have water problems
depending on how constructed, the lay of the land, and the climate.
The interior may become or remain damp for, without special care,
they tend to leak in areas of high rainfall; ceiling problems may
prove harder to repair; they may have ventilation problems -- a major
concern if indoor fires occur. Some claustrophobic-tending residents
find the confinement of the underground house stressful.
Modifications. One compromise in underground construction is a
partly submerged structure. These may have windows or skylights for
natural lights. They may have one side opened preferably to the
south for solar space heating. They may have a conventional roof of
lower height and lower cost than the steel and concrete bunker
variety for the totally underground house. An earthen berm around a
partly submerged structure may help give additional insulation.
Buried in the berm may be cooling pipes for use in low-cost summer
cooling. Attention to drainage must also be given to the partly
submerged building. Whether totally or partly submerged it is good
to seek professional advice in planning and designing the structure.
(John 4: 5-42)
Water a basic need. We each realize the need for water when
craving a cool drink on a hot day. We also have a fear of thundering
waterfalls, of rushing water, of the terrible floods which can rise
quickly in our region with constricted terrain. In dry places like
the Holy Land, potable water is highly valued. Witness the scenes at
Horeb when the thirsty Israelites are tempted. Witness in John
Chapter 4 that Jesus, whose last words are "I thirst," shows the
desire for sharing the spiritual waters of grace with others at a
traditional watering hole -- Jacob's Well. We are reminded of the
saving waters of Baptism when we dip our fingers in holy water. We
are reminded of the outpouring of the Savior's graces as we enter the
first of three Sundays of the traditional "Scrutinies" prior to
Baptism on Holy Saturday. The living water is fresh, and not
stagnant; it is poured not left standing. Living waters come forth
from springs which have long been regarded as sacred places.
Jesus, living water. Jesus directly nourishes each of us. He
leads his disciples through hostile Samaritan territory, which Jews
would often detour around when going to Jerusalem. He talks directly
and honestly and lovingly to this foreigner, with whom most Jews
would never have communicated. Jesus is able to answer the
Samaritan woman's searching heart by making her ask questions. He
has water which will last forever. This assertion triggers an
inquiry from the woman. His mission is to the marginalized, and to
some degree this woman and her people fit the category. Jesus
startles her, for he knows her past life; he says what he believes
is the plan for salvation without an apology.
Her mission. The Samaritan woman comes to get water at Jacob's
well, which had served the needs of the neighboring people for
centuries. She leaves this watering hole to become the first
evangelist, the one who takes Good News once received with enthusiasm
to others. She does so with the handicaps of being an imperfect
human being and known as such by her community. She is a person who
is deeply sincere and willing to extend her faith to others. She
leaves her jug and hurries to spread the good news to her villagers.
With the jug she has left, Jesus is now able to obtain water.
The greater mission. The Disciples are late learners, having
gone for provisions. They will become more perfect missionaries
after Pentecost. They are astonished that Jesus has his hunger
filled in reflecting on the word that must go out to the world. He
thirsts for the souls of others and sees the field white for the
harvest. Doing God's will is food enough for Jesus, and his hope is
to prepare missionaries to spread the Good News. Some will sow;
some will reap; we are mere workers.
The Samaritan community is first touched by the woman and then by
the personal experience with Jesus who they now meet firsthand. They
are drawn to Jesus the same way that some wildlife can be attracted
by the smell water. They invite him to come and accept their
characteristic hospitality. All people thirst for the living water.
March 15, 2004 Create Quiet Zones
Steve Johnson has spoken about how natural sounds of a region
define for inhabitants their sense of place as much as, or more than,
the visible environment. Rain, Volume OD, No. 1 (1982), pp. 24-28
We are caught in our current noisy living and work environments.
However, we need not surrender to the noisemakers. Together with
others, we can quiet the place down.
Creative Actions. If noise pollution occurs, then we must help
create sound barriers. We need to monitor noise levels, refrain from
causing unnecessary noises, and look into ways to quiet down noise
makers of all sorts. Should we make a fuss in order to quiet down a
community? It is reasonable to build noise-free zones similar to
smoke-free ones, hoping the awareness of the benefits will spread.
Such zones should be everywhere, not just in and near hospitals,
libraries, churches, and schools. The residential areas of this
country need these quiet arenas. Such places as senior citizen homes
(where many suffer from hearing problems) and factories are
especially in need of creative actions. See that noise ordinances
are enforced for lawnmowers, jackhammers, power saws and motorized
recreational vehicles. How about taking manufacturers to task for
deliberate noise-making devices which call attention to the driver?
Educational Enterprises. Schools and libraries need to have the
muffled effects of quiet time so that education may occur. Within
all types of school buildings (from grade schools to college dorms)
noise disturbances can and do occur through a variety of human
activities such as animated conversation and shouting, use of
appliances and electronic media, and playing music. In resource
assessment work I have noted that college classrooms are noisier than
grade or high schools. Few college campus or high school surveys
mention noise disturbance as an environmental threat; young people
may hesitate to complain, when their peers regard loud sounds as part
of the culture and a sign of fulfillment. However, we should
encourage everyone, especially students, to become more sensitive to
noise, introduce waterfalls for soothing sounds, and carry out noise
abatement science fair projects.
Quiet Zones. Some people set aside areas at home where youth can
play musical instruments and electronic devices without interfering
with the remainder of the family. Thus homes can be zoned to some
degree, isolating noise so to make quiet parts more comfortable.
Rugs, fabric wall hangings and other barriers all reduce noise levels
and provide vast returns for a modest investment. We all need the
quiet time and space that parents impose on rowdy children. We
should refuse to become virtual prisoners in the noisy world with its
ubiquitous discordant sounds. Often those of us in a hurry do not
recognize our need for silent moments. Modern freedom to chose
applies to individual action, but this often doesn't include freedom
from noise. Our individual choice of retreating to tranquility
becomes less possible for ordinary people in a world of increasing
noise. We are capable of creating and defending silent zones and
that is rapidly becoming an important part of community action.
March 16, 2004 Mobilize Senior Citizens
Senior citizens can be a gold mine of activism. We think the
young have a monopoly on energy, and they certainly have a whole lot
to burn. But the elders, when still mentally alert, can combine a
little less instant energy with much more experience. This ever-
expanding senior segment of our American population has a pool of
talent, has fewer concerns about making a living (if retirement
benefits are sufficient), and often have well placed connections in
the community and beyond. Furthermore a higher percentage of this
age group votes, and thus their political clout exceeds even their
fast-growing numbers. And they are often articulate, especially on
matters affecting their own quality of life.
The American Association of Retired Persons and others are
tapping this latent potential. These people are recognizing that the
youth culture and its detachment from public service should not be
imitated, that elders need not retire to the closet shelf, and that
activism may extend beyond areas of previous professional career or
employment. We are as young as we feel, and the challenge of new
adventures can even make us younger, and bring people out of the myth
of permanent retirement. When alert of mind, we can bring past
experience and a wise perception of a hopeful future to bear on
present problems in at least the following ways:
* Select and track a specific issue by attending meetings and
studying the regulations, problems and solutions associated with it.
* Prepare and offer testimony at legislative and regulatory
hearing at least once a year, and encourage others to do the same.
This is a way to expand the groundswell of support for an issue.
* Write letters to the editor of local and regional media and to
congresspersons at the national and state levels on personal issue.
* Volunteer to work for literacy campaigns, citizen
organizations, museums, libraries, demonstration centers, youth
camps, abuse centers, Green Thumb programs by gardeners, Meals on
Wheels for those with driver's licenses, and a vast assortment of
charitable groups which lack sufficient funding.
* Lobby for the poor, the hungry, the un- or underemployed, and
the homeless, especially for programs which alleviate their
conditions.
* Serve as teacher assistants or substitute teachers when still
able to do such activities easily.
* Create a clipping service on issue areas of interest for cash-
strapped public interest groups who cannot read all of the dailies
and periodicals, and
* Visit elderly, the sick, the forgotten relatives and friends,
prisoners, and others who need moral and spiritual support.
March 17, 2004 Think Organic Green
What better practice to do on St. Patrick's Day than to think
"green"? And what better way is there to think green than to use
food which is chemical-, pesticide-, and commercial chemical
fertilizer-free? Our foods need to be uncontaminated by hazardous
materials of any type. No such assurances are possible today at
the ordinary supermarket, even though there is some organic labelling
at specialty markets. The challenge for domestic organic producers
and marketers is to keep prices affordable and appearances
acceptable. Today, more and more fresh produce comes from distant
states and lands, and much of this slips past an overburdened food
quality surveillance system. Chemical contamination from pesticides
is an ever increasing concern, as regulatory agencies are hard
pressed to monitor residual chemicals on fresh produce.
Organic Food Advantages. Chemical pesticides that have been
used widely since the Second World War are highly toxic, causing
numerous injuries and deaths through their mishandling. Some people
with chemical sensitivity trace their maladies to pesticide
contaminated foods. Costly and expensive pesticides may not
discriminate among their targets, and thus harm friendly garden
creatures. Furthermore, these chemicals are dangerous when stored
around the house, difficult to dispose of properly, and they
contaminate the soil. Few growers and marketers are trained to
handle these chemical pesticides safely or to decontaminate fruits
and vegetables grown with chemical pesticides. Besides acute
toxicity, pesticides cause chemical sensitivity among large numbers
of people (some estimate 15% of total population). Conversely,
organic (pesticide-free) gardening techniques are less costly, easier
to handle, and are environmentally friendly. Organic produce may not
always look perfect, but food safety is more important than the shiny
and waxy appearance of chemically-contaminated food supplies.
Certification is meant to guarantee consumers a quality product.
The certification of organic homegrown garden produce has been
protected at state levels through annual review of practices, soil
testing, and personal visits by the certifying agency. Federal
certification is becoming far more complex and costly to the small
grower. Certification provides the public with guaranteed product
quality, indicated by a tag on the produce or by signs at the place
of sale. The only wrinkle is that it is becoming more difficult for
all consumers to also be growers, but that is already impossible in
this real world of busy, traveling, physically impaired, or elderly
folks. Some are growers and some are solely consumers.
Holistic Health. Preserving our mental health includes
protecting our physical health, which affects our mental state.
Gardening can play a role in balancing our physical and mental
states. The coming spring invites us all the more to get fresh air
and full-spectrum sunlight, to listen to children squealing in sheer
delight as sap starts rising in the trees. Fresh air gives a fresh
outlook on life, and heavy problems evaporate and give us a true
pause that refreshes. Green gardening is also a fresh opportunity.
March 18, 2004 Non-Timber Forest Products
Forests have immense value apart from the timber content. One
would hardly know this while listening to some commercial interests.
However, the forest retains moisture, stores carbon
