In the introduction to her book, Words Made Flesh, author Fran Ferder reflects on the creation story in Genesis. She ponders what is translated as that on the seventh day God rested. But in her scholarship, she writes that the more accurate translation is - God listened. For all of creation is breathing, speaking, and the Spirit is hovering! Why not sit back and listen to this symphony of new life!
I think this is a time for us in the northern hemisphere to do the same. It is time to “listen” to what nature is speaking to us as the Spirit hovers over us in our busyness. Here are a few of the “listenings” that I have recently experienced.
• I am listening to the trees as some of the sugar maples’ leaves are beginning to turn red.
• I am listening to the farmers on their tractors in the fields gathering their crops and turning over the soil.
• I am listening to the people who sell produce from their farms who have decided not to sell anymore produce. They have had a wet spring and a cold summer- and their supplies are dwindling.
• I am listening to the ads on TV and have experienced pounds of printed ads falling out of the daily paper notifying us that school is soon to begin.
• I am listening to the meteorologists speak of floods, fog, and frost circulating through the upper Midwest.
• I am listening to my own body as it deals with the last of the ragweed and as I anticipate the first frost!
• I am listening to the Scriptures as they are gathered up in Ordinary Time, soon to be crossing the Advent threshold.
• I am listening to the whimpering of my sandals as they sense me pondering wearing “real shoes” as the fall rains and cool winds come.
Recently, a friend of mine told me that she was riding the rapid transit system in Chicago. In her car section there were at least 15 people gathered on their way to their next destination. She said that everyone, except her, was “plugged in” to a digital device. No one was speaking. All were being spoken to - for each one was “listening” to the info moving through their ear buds keeping them individually-isolatingly-connected to the social network of spinning, pulsing, and multi-attending.
Why do I write this? Recently, I read the following excerpt from Fox News:
While dementia is a disease that typically plagues the elderly, a new type of cognitive condition is affecting younger individuals in their early 20s and teens – a disorder known as “digital dementia.”
Digital dementia is characterized as the deterioration of brain function as a result of the overuse of digital technology, such as computers, smart phones and Internet use in general, Medical Daily reported. This excess use of technology leads to unbalanced brain development, as heavy users are more likely to overdevelop their left brains, leaving their right brains underdeveloped. The left side of the brain is generally associated with rational thought, numerical computation and fact finding, while the right side of the brain is responsible for more creative skills and emotional thoughts. If the right brain remains under developed in the long term, it can lead to the early onset of dementia.
So I am placing a few prayers to help develop one’s right brain and gift of inner listening!
Saint Theresa's Prayer
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.
A Japanese Garden
By Charmiane Aserappa and Akiko Naomura
Be the still pool. Let your face reflect the glory, the wonder.
Be the dragonfly. Silent but joyful. Be the bud. Prepare to blossom. Be the tree. Grant shelter. Be the butterfly. Accept the riches of the moment. Be the moth. Seek the light. Be the lantern. Guide the lost. Be the path. Open the way for another. Be the wind chime. Let the breeze blow through you.
Be the rain. Wash away, cleanse, forgive. Be the grass. Grow back when you are trod upon.
Be the bridge. Reach in peace toward the other side. Be the moss. Temper your strength with softness, mercy. Be the soil. Bear fruit. Be the gardener. Create order.
Be the temple. Let the Spirit dwell in you. Be the seasons. Welcome change.
Be the moon. Shine through the darkness. Be the pebble. Let time shape and smooth you.
Be the leaf. Fall gracefully when your time comes to let go. Trust the circle. To end is to begin.
++So let us practice this week listening deeply to the life around us and within us as it speaks to us – warding off effects of early spiritual dementia!
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