For the Beauty of the Earth

Last week, my husband and I celebrated our 30th Anniversary by walking 30 miles along the breathtaking coast of western Ireland (the Dingle Peninsula). The slower pace of walking allowed us to truly savor what we saw – rugged coastline, stunning green hillsides crisscrossed with stone walls (and sheep – so, so many sheep!), and ancient sacred sites (some of which had carved stones dating back to the 5th century!). I felt reconnected with the land in a way that I all too easily forget when I am walking on concrete or rushing from one place to another in my car. Oh, how beautiful is our earth!

I was especially moved by our visit to Kilmalkedar where I paused amidst the ruins of an ancient church. As I stood still and gazed on this sacred site, my mind began to wonder about the cloud of witnesses who had also stood on that ground before me – the Celtic people and many others. What were their names? What brought tears to their eyes or laughter to their mouths? How did they experience the changing seasons?

After awhile, my mind shifted to the sacred ground of my own home back in Ohio and I began to wonder about the cloud of witnesses who had also stood on that ground before me – the Erie people and many others. What were their names? What brought tears to their eyes or laughter to their mouths? How did they experience the changing seasons? 

I invite you to pause for a moment and consider the ground on which you stand. If you are able, go outside and find a place that is not covered with concrete where you can stand directly on the earth - maybe even with your shoes off if it is warm enough. Imagine the cloud of witnesses who have stood on this ground before you - 10 or 100 or 1,000 years ago. What were their names? What brought tears to their eyes or laughter to their mouths? How did they experience the changing seasons? 

We do well to remember our sacred interconnectedness across time and space - not only to those who lived before us but also to those who will follow us. What kind of earth are we leaving to the members of the cloud of witnesses yet to come?

As the seasons change may we pause to give thanks for the beauty of the earth and of the skies, remembering the love that from our birth over and around us lies. God of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.

Credits: Photo is in front of Kilmalkedar Church in Ballyferriter, Ireland. The last few lines of this reflection are a paraphrase of the beloved hymn by Thomas Newton, For the Beauty of the Earth.