Wisdom of the Ages
Owl in the tree
This is what I see.
Scared bird – going extinct.
Nocturnal prey, I say.
Feathers for silent flight
Able to see in the night.
Hooked beak feeding her young
A song of hoots to be sung
What if I look in the tree
And no owls do I see
Will they soon disappear?
Seen only on greeting cards, I fear.
Swivel heads seen no more
Nor velvety fur when they soar.
Owl in the tree
Wise as can be
Looking at me
What does she see —
Looking at me?
Caring for creatures great and small
Preserving beauty -one and all
Wise and astute and giving a hoot
For what I see In the tree.
~ Jarrett DeWyse OP
Creation Canticles: Reflections on the Natural World
Pope Francis began the encyclical, “Laudato Si’ On Care for Our Common Home” describing the human relationship with the earth through images from the hymn “Canticle of the Creatures” by St. Francis of Assisi.
In this hymn, St. Francis invites all his brother and sister creatures—whether minerals, plants or animals—to praise their Creator.
“Our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. Praise be to you, my Lord through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.” ~ Pope Francis, 1 Laudato Si’ Encyclical
This reference to the Canticles inspires us to eco-spirituality — a manifestation of the spiritual connection between human beings and the environment.
As we seek transformative eco-spiritual experiences, Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters and Associates began writing poems and reflections. “We start from the witness that ecological spirituality involves a firm inner conviction that God is the source of all creation which is held together by God’s love,” says Sister Mary Ann Barrett OP.
We hope others will enjoy these inspirational messages.