I came across a beautiful poem recently that I believe speaks to the Holy Gospel in a such a profound way. In very few words, it poetically (and quietly) encourages us to follow Christ’s call to walk humbly, act justly, pray unceasingly, and love, not out of any desire for recognition or attention, but simply out of faith. The poem is called I Dream of a Quiet Man, and it was written by a poet named Wendell Berry. It goes like this:
I Dream of a Quiet Man
by Wendell Berry
I dream of a quiet man
who explains nothing and defends
nothing, but only knows
where the rarest wildflowers
are blooming, and who goes,
and finds that he is smiling
not by his own will.
This poem epitomizes FAITH. Faith that requires neither explanation nor defense. It just IS—deeply and intimately IS. I imagine this quiet man—or person—walking through a forest contentedly exploring and appreciating the beauty all around, knowing Whose love created it. A quiet person who hears each bird call and spots even the tiniest flowers that many might miss or think little of. Noticing the magnificent beauty of Creation. Those “noticings” are gifts from our Creator, and they can help keep us grounded, invested, and faithful.
The forest is an endless testament to God’s Love down to its tiniest detail. It is a deeply spiritual place where it feels as though the sheer beauty of its existence is a prayer unto itself. It is life-affirming and life-giving.
Our faith can be the same, if we take the time to walk in it and wonder at it—if we take the time to explore it. This Lenten season is the perfect time to begin doing just that; to embrace the gift of Sabbath rest. It is the perfect time for us to lean into our faith; to wonder as we wander through the landscape of our faith. Psalm 55:6 says:
Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
This Lenten season, we will put on our spiritual wings and fly away like a dove to rest and to explore the beauty, the wonder, the poetry of creation and how it speaks to our faith as beloved creatures of God.
We will intentionally engage in Sabbath rest to reflect upon ourselves as part of the beauty God has created and how, like a forest of trees, we can help one another thrive through the many blessings we are Divinely gifted, recognizing that one of the first fruits that we have to offer back to God is LOVE. Love of God and Love of neighbor.
Our Lenten Devotional this year will guide us through this practice of wondering as we wander using poetry and scripture as a lenses through which we can meditate and lean into the sacramental care of ourselves and one another—of all of creation.
Doves are recognized symbols of peace, love, and spirituality and, in religious art, they symbolize the Holy Spirit. We have a pre-folded origami dove available at the church for every parishioner. I ask that as you reflect upon your discoveries of self as part of creation, as part of a living forest of people without whom you could not thrive, that you write on your origami dove your hopes, your prayers, your discoveries. What beautiful things (great or small) are you most grateful for? Write them down on your dove and leave it at the altar. On Easter Sunday, all of the doves will be suspended from the rafters as testimonies to our faith and prayers ascending to God.
“Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield [you];
he will shield [you] and deliver [you];
he will ‘pass over’ [you] and will rescue [you].”
– Isaiah 31:5
You are Beautiful and you are Beloved.
Angela+