CANTICLE OF THE SUN
It has been a while since I posted a blog, even though it is summertime. But this last week I went on a three-day personal retreat, and found it to be the refreshing break I needed to reconnect with the Lord and myself. So, this will be the first of a flurry of entries from insights gained during that retreat. Then we'll see what kinds of ongoing entries might come from there.

Within the first few minutes of being there among the natural beauty, I was overwhelmed with the joy, beauty and balance of creation. I saw, as did St. Francis before me, that everything created is my brother or sister, and that all was meant to praise the Lord in its own way. It's a little silly in places, but was offered as sincere worship.

Praise Him, brothers bass and catfish;
Swim and leap and play before your Creator.
Praise Him, sisters wildflowers and butterflies;
Let your beauty bring Him pleasure.
Praise Him, calling birds and knocking woodpecker;
Let your tunes and rhythm gladden the ear of the Chief Musician.
Praise Him, still waters.
Reflect a world turned upside down,
That we might remember all is not as it seems.
Praise Him, brother fly, as you nibble on my head—enjoy!
Someday soon your descendants will feast on my rotting flesh,
And I will not be able to brush them away.
Praise Him, insect-eaten and blighted tree;
Yes, even your suffering is a part of a grand plan of balance and design.
Your loss brings gain for others and balance to the whole.
Struggle for life, and thus glorify the Life-giver.
But do not think that your battle goes unseen by the Father of us all.