Reading Niamh Brennan’s book ‘The Human in the Universe’ in our book club has prompted me to share a few thoughts or inspirations. I find cosmic history awe inspiring and mind boggling…all the different phases our earth has gone through and how it continues to transform building on what went before…a work in progress. Our relatedness to our earth is basic to our existence…no earth, no humans. lsn’t it amazing to think that no two things of any species are ever the same! We are born to be different, and yet so connected, all having a common origin, sharing the same atoms and molecules. We are in the Universe and the Universe is in us and we exist only in communion. To be in real communion with ourselves, with God and with the Universe is vital. Nothing can exist in isolation. The Mission Statement of the Oblate Congregation sums it up for me…we are ‘Pilgrims of hope in Communion’.
The following Psalms are all saturated with concern for the earth and call us to wonder and praise…
Ps. 19:2-5…The heavens proclaim the glory of God…
Ps.36:6-9….Your justice is like the mighty mountains…
Ps.24:1-2…The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord…
Ps.104:24… How varied O Lord are your works…
Ps.97:1-2…The Lord reigns let the earth rejoice…
Maureen OSU