Our Common Home

A blog in two parts this week, by Sister Kathryn Casper, both inspired by the Pope’s recent encyclical.

i)                  Story in Prose

Here’s a story told to me by Sister Dennis Frandrup, who is a great observer of nature, dearly loving all of God’s wonders in creation.

One day as she approached the door to the monastery dining room, something fell in front of her. Wondering what it was, she stopped, and discovered a tiny baby bird.  She picked it up, with gentle care. The bird was still warm and she cuddled it in her open hands, protecting it until she could decide what to do.  Sister Dennis felt great compassion for this vulnerable little creature. She understood that the only way to save the baby bird was to restore it to its nest.  The nest was perched high upon a light outside the door.  Somehow Sister Dennis managed to put the bird back into its nest.  This firsthand experience for her was a direct realization of the vulnerability not only of this small bird, but of all creatures on our planet.  The experience opened her heart and mind to deeper compassion for all that is fallen and helpless, to see the great gift of redemption offered to us daily by our gracious Creator God. 

  

Photo: Karen Streveler, OSB

ii)               Poem of Praise

On the Care of our Common Home

Yellow day lilies in lift their heads

like golden trumpets

resounding in exuberant joy

          LAUDATO  SI!

Finches, wrens, sparrows

whistling, trilling, warbling

toss ecstatic song into the universe

          LAUDATO  SI!

Newest rabbit peeks from under

the glorious dogwood bush

offering shy worship

          LAUDATO  SI!

Squirrels digging in wood-chipped earth

stop, startled by some mysterious impulse

          LAUDATO  SI!

Fertile trees, laden with seed

Bow, bend, wave in wondrous rhythm,

          LAUDATO  SI!

Tall sedate firs in perfect, elegant symmetry 

announce a paean of praise

          LAUDATO  SI!

Sister Philip, rolls her lumbering cart

across the grounds

tools clang, thrum, resound

          LAUDATO  SI

Workers, grounds keepers,

security officers, secretaries, administrators ~

sisters, young and old working, praying

keep the monastery humming

          LAUDATO  SI!

In the sacred tranquil cemetery

holy witnesses bespeak in silent concert

lives of enduring faithfulness and ardent love

          LAUDATO  SI!