All Creation Groans for our Awakening (1)
photograph by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
by Katherine Murray
The beautiful mountains of British Columbia, where I live, consistently leave me in awe. Lately, however, when I find myself gazing at the mountains, I'm also wondering about the snowpack. A recent provincial report stated the snowpack is extremely low due to higher than normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.(2) This significantly increases drought concerns and leaves me with a knot in my stomach. It brings to mind the wildfires in British Columbia, the Yukon, and Maui last year and with them the evacuations, lives lost, and structures burned. These events are not occurring in isolation but are connected to the broader issues of a changing climate and environmental degradation. It evokes anguish in me.
As I consider these things – and pray frequently for the earth and for rain – I am drawn to curiosity and wondering. What if I listen deeply to what the earth is saying through all these events? I imagine myself as a spiritual director and the earth as my directee. What do I hear as I am present to the earth? What is the earth saying as I listen deeply? I witness the earth’s suffering and the need for change. I hear the earth groaning for humanity to wake up. It raises the question, “How can I be sure the earth is seen and heard?”
I then imagine the earth as my spiritual director and I am the directee. What answers emerge within me as I seek to be in solidarity with the earth? I remember Richard Rohr’s comment that, “Only the contemplative mind can bring forward this new consciousness …”
A new consciousness would expand my definition of "loving my neighbor" to include the trees, plants, animals, and the earth itself.(3) From this, I might form a new relationship with the earth and with nature. I would learn about efforts to support and care for the earth: sails on cargo ships, removing waste from oceans, planting trees, and conserving water. I think of my friend, Rev. Sue in the UK, who at 81 years old has been arrested multiple times for protesting the lack of action concerning the climate emergency. She inspires me to consider what steps of action I am taking. I could examine my consumption patterns and let go of those that harm the earth. I would remember there is a web of oneness connecting us all.
As in all spiritual direction relationships, listening and presence offer a doorway into change and hopefully transformation. I notice the knot in my stomach has let go.
[1] From the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
[2] BC Government Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin – Jan 1 , 2024
[3] My thought here has been influenced by the work of Dr. Mari Joerstad and her book, The Hebrew Bible and Environmental Ethics: Humans, Nonhumans, and the Living Landscape.” New York: Cambridge University Press, 2019.
Katherine Murray
is a friend, daughter, sister, aunt. She is passionate about spiritual formation and transformation, and spiritual practices that deepen our awareness of the Divine. Katherine completed the Pacific Jubilee SoulGuiding program in 2022. Her work includes spiritual direction, facilitating retreats, and serving as Associate Director of the Centre for Spiritual Renewal at St. Dunstan's Parish in the Fraser Valley, BC.
Read about Katherine's spiritual direction practice here.
