Saturday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
One of my favorite pastimes is spending time in nature. The trees, flowers, birds, insects, (even cicadas!) and animals reveal God’s amazing generosity and creativity. Jesus often uses elements of the created world to share deep truths of the kingdom. God calls us to see and learn from our created world, and in return, God calls us to care for this great gift of love that is shared with us.
Today in the gospel, Jesus uses the birds and the flowers to remind us of the importance of God’s love and care for us. Jesus explains that the birds rely completely on God’s goodness and care for the food and protection that they need. The flowers show their beauty and do not worry about how they look, or what they need to do to become more splendid. Jesus uses these common things in nature to remind us of God’s love for all of creation. Like the birds and the flowers we are called to turn to God for what we need and to rely on God’s faithfulness. Jesus comments that the worry, striving for more, consuming beyond our needs do not bring us peace. When we “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,” then we recognize that God will provide all that we need to sustain us, and we need nothing else. When Jesus refers to the birds and the flowers, He reveals the amazing freedom that is experienced when these creatures trust in God. Jesus reminds us that this same freedom is offered to us when we place our trust in the love of God.
In the first reading, St. Paul also uses a reference to nature to reveal God’s work in his life. St. Paul relates that “a thorn in the flesh was given to me.” There are many plants (including roses) that have thorns which botanists believe are present to thwart predators from eating them. I wonder if this “thorn” was helping St. Paul to avoid the predators of pride and greed. The Lord tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” St. Paul comes to realize that the pains, sufferings, and challenges he faces help him to turn to Christ and trust only in Him. St. Paul finds the freedom of finding God’s strength in his weakness.
As I revel in the beauty of nature, it is easy to find many revelations of God. The diversity of creation- the many birds, flowers, trees, insects… I am constantly amazed! God also created great diversity among people- each person is uniquely different from everyone else. I believe God calls us to be amazed and in awe of the beauty and gift of each person on this earth. Each individual bears the imprint of God.
Jesus uses many images from nature to explain God’s love- the vine and the branches, the mother hen, and the lilies of the field are only a few of the stories that help us to know how God loves us, longs for us, and desires our flourishing. As I reflect on these displays of God’s love, I realize that one of the best ways for us to return this love is through our care and protection of the creation that we enjoy. Pope Francis reminds us: "Creation is not a property, which we can rule over at will; or, even less, is the property of only a few: Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude.” When we care for creation, we recognize the gift that we have been given and in gratitude we respond with love. Simple ways such as recycling, reusing, composting, being mindful of our buying practices- these are only a few ways that we can show our respect for the created world and respond to God’s generous giving with “thank you!” Our care for nature and the created world is a visible way for us to live as disciples of Christ.
Nature provides many opportunities for us to witness God’s revelation. Whether it is God’s generosity, God’s creativity, God’s compassion, or God’s love, if we open our eyes, our ears, our hearts and our minds we will be overwhelmed with God’s presence all around us. Today and every day we are called to “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” May we seek God and find freedom and joy in the blessings of the world around us.
Creator God, You have made the world because of Your great love. Jesus recognizes the beauty and gift of creation, and encourages us to find You in the natural world. May we be inspired by Your Spirit to learn and grow from the world around us, and may we return Your love with our care for all that you have made. We pray this through Christ. AMEN.
Marylynn Herchline