Tuesday 27 May 2008

Today we move into a chapter in "New Seeds of Contemplation" call "Things in Their Identity" - by Thomas Merton.



A tree gives glory to God by being a tree. For in being what God means it to be it is obeying God. It "consents," so to speak, to God's creative love. It is expressing an idea which is in God and which is not distinct from the essence of God, and therefore a tree imitates God by being a tree.

The more a tree is like itself, the more it is like God. If it tried to be like something else which it was never intended to be, it would be less like God and therefore it would give God less glory.



For all of us it would be good to be able to honor the intended being of that which is other. I would think that we would then be more aware of what each part of creation has to bring to the whole. Llike the different trees in our front yard, they are so different from one another and yet that is what they are intended to be...and because of that, they each are a greater gift to the yard and those who notice them. I suppose we need to expand this notion to our humanity. No one is asked to be something other than human. To try to be more would cause us to miss who we are as individuals. WE are not even asked to be like other humans. We are to be the one God creates in us. I know that brings many folks problems as we try to look and compare and grade and evaluate one another. Then again, there is meant to be peace in knowing that each of us is a beloved one of God and we are invited to be that gift of life that is me...and you. When we are open to the wonder of our being, we are open to the beauty that becomes a vital part to the wider community of God's creation.



Connection: Yes, we are each different. Yes, that doesn't always please us. Yes, we can resist being who we are...but then, everyone will miss out on the gift of creation each of us is.



Lord of Creation, we often attempt to be more than the life we have been given. When we resist being ourselves, we often spin off center and lose track of the gift of life you created in each of us. We then become anxious and unable to live like the lilies of the field and the birds of the air - free and beloved. Amen.