My theme for Lent this year is the Land I Live On. Most of my activism focus is on climate change, and I want to fuel that work with a strong and intimate connection to this land. I want to better understand my relationship to the natural world and the cycles of the seasons, the history, culture, and ecosystem of my valley, the indigenous peoples and how I connect to them, and the responsibility I feel for the land.
Also, because I am caring for my grandson this year, I have a unique opportunity to see the natural world through a baby's eyes, with Wonder and Discovery. I want to re-connect to the awe for Creation that I felt as a child.
March 28, Palm Sunday-
1. Journal queries: On Palm Sunday Jesus confronted the Roman domination of Jerusalem. I too am called to speak truth to power and put my faith into action.
Where do I see domination systems today?
What are my intentions for facing them with peaceful actions?
Journal: I have thrown myself fully into the climate justice movement, and that has already required me to speak truth to power, as well as to friends and family. My intentions are to speak with humble and compassionate honesty, from my own experience.
What are my intentions for facing them with peaceful actions?
Journal: I have thrown myself fully into the climate justice movement, and that has already required me to speak truth to power, as well as to friends and family. My intentions are to speak with humble and compassionate honesty, from my own experience.
2. Prepare for a clearness meeting: I've been asked to clerk a meeting for clearness on reparations to Native Americans for a Friend. Today I will read the essay and ground myself in our process for clearness.
March 29, Holi-
3. Study Braiding Sweetgrass, section 4: The significance of braiding plaits of sweetgrass into three strands is symbolic of the philosophy and spirituality of the indigenous people. Sweetgrass is a sacred, healing plant to the Potawatomi people and is braided “... as if it were our mother’s hair, to show our loving care for her.”
My grandson and I will mark the day with some outdoor paint play.
March 30-
5. Study Braiding Sweetgrass, section 4: Preserving the relationship between plants and people through ecological restoration is another example of the need for listening to the plants. Kimmerer states in the ‘Umbilicaria: The Belly Button of the World’ chapter, “... lichens are born from reciprocity. ... They remind us of the enduring power that rises from mutualism, from the sharing of the gifts carried by each species.”
March 31-
6. Go to a climate rally: During the national Build Back Fossil Free Week of Action (March 29th – April 3rd), we will have local opportunities to take action. Today I went to a rally at the old Federal Building (my first for over a year!)
April 1, Maundy Thursday-
7. Show Love: Maundy is an English word that comes from the Latin mandatum, referring to the new commandment that Jesus made on that night:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another.” (John 13:34).8. Go to the garden tonight to pray: The Catholic Church has a tradition of keeping a vigil after the Maundy Thursday service, in remembrance of Jesus' important prayer in the garden of Gethsemane on this night. His instructions to his apostles were to "watch and pray", so I will sit in silence and wait for the Spirit to fill me. I will pray for peace in the world, respect for the earth, health for the sick, and comfort for the grieving.
April 2, Good Friday-
9. Darkness to Hope Meditation: This morning I reflect on desperation and despair. I remember again that the soul's "dark night" is a part of the human condition. My capacity to experience despair is a gift; through it I am transformed. Jesus said, "You must be born again." (John 3:7). The ability to shift from despair to hope is how I get the strength to live life whatever the daily deaths I might face.
10. Dye eggs with my family
April 4, Easter-
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