My Eco-Conversion: A Litany of Love Affairs

Eco-Challenge for Ecological Conversion: As part of our commitment to Earth via our Laudato Si’ Action Plan, we are inviting everyone who shares in our charism to explore the spiritual call to ecological conversion with us.

For many years, up into my mid-sixties, the question that kept haunting me. “What am I supposed to be when I grow up?” Next, I found myself not wanting to read spiritual books, or even The Bible, although I continued reading and reflecting on the Gospels. I felt a need to learn how to think for myself, and reading the thoughts of others was not helpful.

A friend told me about contemplative and centering prayer, which I began practicing. Shortly after, I picked up Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan Merrill. The word “wholeness” stood out. Yes, I felt myself yearning to be not only whole but holy as well! The translation of the Psalms, the inclusive language, Creation described with such earthiness, spoke to my heart. I felt as though a divine presence was inviting me to know the joy of

Love’s Companioning Presence.
The beginning of a love affair.

The opening of my heart has opened me to a consciousness of the importance of each presence. Seeing with the eyes of the heart, hearing with the ears of the Divine grows more intimate through each moment. Reading the Gospel with the new understanding that I am free to read between the lines, brings Jesus and His ministry more alive and personal.

Could it be the deepening of this “love affair?” I hope so!

I am enamored with these words in our Consensus Statement: “we move always toward profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.” Through my desire to serve the “Dear Neighbor, there is no thing that is not a sister or a brother. My desire to serve “my dear neighbor,” means that there are no strangers, which includes every thing in this cosmos.

Then the love affairs grew real, happening so often it sometimes took my breath away, brought tears of joy, sadness, fullness or filled my body with fire.

It began with this story.

I was waiting in line at the grocery store and noticed a box of truffles in the person’s basket behind me. I looked at him, pointed to the box and asked, “Ohhhh, you like those truffles?”

“You bet I do!”

 “So do I!”

He gave me a big smile. We introduced ourselves and mentioned how happy we were to meet each other.

Since that moment, I have become a very extroverted introvert. I especially express my gratitude to those who clean the floors or do the re-shelving, telling them that without their presence we would have a big mess and that their work is most important. I introduce myself and ask their name. Yes, how very important is their name.

I chatter with the squirrels who stop to look at me.

I talk…

…with the trees and flowers—even to the roses whose petals are browning, thanking them for gifting this Creation with their beauty.

…to the garden snail, brown and gold spiral shell gleaming in the sunlight, tentacles stretched forward, soft body leaving behind a trail.

…to mockingbirds, unable to protect their nests from invading crows who eat their eggs or fly off with babies to feed their own hatchlings. My heart cries for mockingbirds. This is survival, but still it hurts. Crow babies also need attention.

…to honeybees, humming as they are gathering pollen and nectar from red blossoms of a flaming eucalyptus tree, for their queen and honey we so enjoy.

Discovering the intelligence of trees through threadlike fibers called mycelium (singular), mycelia (plural), that grow underground between trees’ roots allowing them to communicate with each other.

The stories are unending.

Each a love affair.

I witnessed a man, brushing clean the sidewalk with the waving of a blanket. Then he spread it out, sat down and, taking off his shoes, placed them at the top for a pillow. He lay down on the blanket, his head pillowed on the shoes, ready for sleep. I carry his image in my heart…

The Litany of Love Affairs continues.

As you reflect on Sister Celia’s observations, let it inspire you to take action.

• How do you recognize Creation as “the dear neighbor”?
• How can you expand your awareness of nature and find ways to fall more in love with each little thing?
• What sustainable change(s) can you make to show your love for Creation?
• Push yourself to find someone with whom you can share your thoughts about your ecological conversion.