In a book club comprised of sisters and charism partners, Sister Diane Smith, CSJ reads books that enrich her spirituality and challenge her to the more. Recently, her book club finished Victoria Loorz’s “Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred.”
Dedicated to the teachings of Laudato Si’, our sisters and charism partners embraced Loorz’s book as a part of their ecological conversion. Find Sister Diane’s reflection on “Church of the Wild” below.
Victoria Loorz invites the reader to slow down, really look at nature and listen to how it wants to connect, allowing ourselves to embrace the experience. Nature calls us into the sacred. Victoria shares many of her mystical experiences in connecting with nature, particularly with deer.
As a minister, Loorz struggled with the patriarchy in the church. She found herself wandering on the edge of the Christ experience and suggests that every mystic walk on that edge. Loorz encourages us to acknowledge the Cosmic Christ’s presence in all things, acknowledging the web of life as it continues to embrace us in love.
One excerpt from the book that stood out to me was when Loorz refers to the Gospel of John’s opening verse: “In the beginning was the Word.” From her research on logo/word, she invites to see it as a conversation. The reader is encouraged to go out to the woods or forest to have a conversation.
Since I am a point in my life when going to the forest is not an option, I find myself sitting in a small grove of trees listening to their message. Encouraged to find a way to connect I find a tree that seemed to draw herself to me. The following is what I was encouraged to share.
Adopted by a tree
by Sister Diane Smith, CSJ
When first we met,
leaves dancing in the wind,
bedecked with small delicate flowers.
She reached down,
embraced me with her beauty.
We spent the summer together,
sitting under her branches
she gave me peace and calm.
In the fall she taught me
how to let go.
Sleeping in the winter,
under my watchful presence,
she knew I was there.
Spring has now awakened her,
but not to full stature,
less leaves dancing in the wind,
still wearing small flowers.
She blesses me by dropping a flower,
one that is meant for me to keep.
Some branches refusing to come
back to life.
What message is she giving me?
At this time in life I still have
green leaves giving hope to others,
dropping flowers of encouragement.
Many of my branches, activities, contacts
no longer have life,
finished with what has meant to be.
I look forward to the next seasons,
to learn what more she has to teach me.
Thank you Diane for your beautiful thoughts and poem. I just moved into a new office which is on the 5th floor of our former Provincial House. I look out on the tops of beautiful tree of several varieties and green mountains in the distance. It is inspiring to just see and be with this scene. Here is green hope amidst loss and change. It is a lens through which I notice God’s gift of hope alive and calling me to smile.
Hi Diane,
Your poem about your encounter with your tree friend was so beautiful! In addition to your reflections on a tree’s “outer life” that we see, I have been reading about what happens beneath our feet in the incredible community of cooperation among trees using their connection to fungi. A First Nation Canadian forester wrote a lovely book called Finding the Mother Tree.
In the community I enjoyed a friendship with your cousin Diane Mercurio. May she rest in peace.
It’s Jacaranda tree season in California. All over San Diego there are huge periwinkle bouquets nesting in the treetops They often peak on Mother’s Day. We always say they are the perfect gift for all the mothers. When flying into San Diego the city wears a periwinkle comforter to be admired from the heavens. Even though I haven’t for years been able to drive my mom, Helen Louise, up and down the flower laden streets I know her heavenly view is magnificent.
Last week, our Brazilian Pepper tree was pruned. It was needed, but I was afraid the hummingbirds who called it home would leave our yard and not return for a long time. That is what happened the last time the tree was cut back. But yesterday, I watched as many of my beautiful, little, feathered friends flew about, chasing each other, landing on top of the two feeders that hang outside my window, enjoying the sugar water. Their movements back and forth, circling each other is a joy to see: colorful gems of red, orange, green, blue, violet dancing in the sunlit air; a living rainbow reminding me of God’s creative goodness; a divine gift, right in my backyard.
Two lessons learned: 1) Pruning leads to new growth and new life. 2) In nature, the Divine gives freely, unexpectedly, and with delight.
Thank you, Diane, for your beautiful reflection on tree life cycles. It helped me to see the “flowers” that can still be part of my giving during my present life cycle.
Hermoso poema, este me anima a ver más allá del cielo gris que nos acompaña en este tiempo de otoño/ invierno, aquí no se distinguen las estaciones. Sin embargo, puedo cuidar las plantas dentro de la casa y en nuestro frontis. Gracias por tu conexión con la naturaleza.