Flight of the Bumblebee

Greetings and blessings amigas y amigos;

I was walking through the wild meadow the other day looking for golf balls. We have a makeshift driving range at Dunblane, and the wild meadow is where most of the errant golf balls come to roost. 

It is nothing short of miraculous to witness the wild meadow come back to life , especially after a particularly harsh winter. 

It seems to happen overnight. 

One day the grass is yellow and the shrubs and trees are brown and bare. 

The next day things start to change. 

At first it is just a suspicion of green everywhere. Subtle hues, looking like soft paint strokes applied by the Master Artist.

And in a matter of days, the wild meadow explodes with vibrant colours. The wild grasses turn a deep and robust green, and wild flowers begin to emerge, like butterflies from a hiding spot. The other day, as I stood near a group of beautiful red osier dogwood trees, with the sun warming my back, I was joined by three or four bumble bees. It is fascinating to watch them fly. They look so un-aerodynamic. As they flew past me, I could not help but think of the iconic orchestral piece "The Flight of the Bumblebee" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. They were flying as though being buffeted by the wind, up and down, sideways, upwards and downwards. It was breathtaking. And they alighted on white flowers and began to collect pollen. They work with such purpose and on purpose. When the wild meadow is in full bloom, it is visited by thousands upon thousands of pollinators. The sound they make is indeed orchestral, music to my ears. It is a sound we all need to hear. It is necessary to sustain life on earth. 

So, what can our little reflection group do? 

Lots. 

We can begin creating natural and sacred spaces in which pollinators can thrive. 

We can make a difference. 

I am prayerfully asking every single one of you to make a covenant with Mother Earth to become better stewards of creation. 

Imagine if everyone began planting trees and pollinator gardens. We could create a forest. We could provide hope in a world that desperately needs it. Even if the only space you can create for now is a couple of flower beds on a veranda in a skyrise, this will suffice. The tragedy would be if we did nothing.

It is time to do something. 

Here is your homework. 

Google "Flight of the Bumblebee".

Listen to it with your eyes closed. 

Picture the bumblebees flying through the spaces that we will create. 

Imagine the benefit.

Together we will draw in a deep breath and give life to a broken world. 

Together we can be a source of healing. 

I am now going to share a prayer for the earth written by Pope Francis. 

All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest 

creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon

us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace

that we may live as sisters and brothers, harming no one. 

O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this

earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect

the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. 

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing , to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey toward your infinite light. 

We are thankful for being with us each day. 

Encourage us, we pray, as we struggle for justice, love and peace. 

                                  Pope Francis / Papa Francisco 

My dear sisters and brothers. We have work to do. 

What a privilege 

Paz y muchisimo amor. 

Juan