Thursday, April 08, 2010

Weather forecast


From Christine Valter Paintner's beautiful new book, "water, wind, earth and fire - The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements" - a quote from St. Francis of Assisi, as well as a quote from Theophilus of Antioch below*........

All praise be Yours, my God, through Brothers Wind and Air, 
And fair and stormy, all the weather's moods,
By which You cherish all that you have made.
-St. Francis

I've just begun reading "water, wind, earth & fire" and it fills me with refreshing, and spiritually fulfilling notions about how the world around us is created and full of the God's presence.  I trust that by reading on I will appreciate the chilly wind and rain that is briskly denuding some of the tree blossoms that arrived early in anticipation of what?..... the Resurrection - must have - why else would those trees have given up their bounty so early? I digress - or do I?

I do yearn for blue skies, spring's warm breezes, and the end of a snowfall possibility anywhere in the forecast.  Often, it seems, my yearnings are fulfilled and the actual progress of spring proceeds as usual - it's too early, the bulbs begin to pop too soon, the trees give forth their most magnificent blooming way too generously and then it turns chilly again.  Is the forecast too good, too soon and why do I allow myself to skeptically predict this won't last, this won't last!  When will I learn to just enjoy what is, keep my winter jacket in the coat closet and rejoice without skepticism with the good fortune and blessing of spring's too early gifting to us all.  

Enjoy your day, no matter what the weather - it's spring!!





*Author Eloi Leclerc's book "The Canticle of Creatures: Symbols of Union" writing of the freedom and detachment of St. Francis's words of praise for Brother Wind:  All its moods!  In fact, for Francis there is no such thing as bad weather any longer......the context of the wind is a world open and exposed and swept by a force that will not let you rest and carries you further and further, a force voice.  It is the breath of God that you breathe- and you are unaware of it. - Theophilus of Antioch"
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11 comments:

  1. I came across a quote yesterday that I like a lot:

    "Spring has returned. The earth is like a child that knows poems."
    ~ Rilke

    Blessings.

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  2. I have not yet arrived at the apprecieation for dark, gloomy days that Francis had. Perhaps in time.
    CP

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  3. Maureen - Precious thought/image from Rilke! xo

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  4. CP -
    we can only hope, considering the days we do face of dark and gloomy, to be elevated to Frank's level of awareness.....didn't he go off nude with only his father's raincoat on? He apparently not only enjoyed them, he prepared for them:)
    xo

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  5. I so relate to this! Spring is almost harder than winter, because it teases so. It's the only time of year I think about living somewhere else. I guess I just lived in the South too long, where spring starts in February.

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  6. You're ahead of me SS. I have started Christine's book as well but just just at the beginning. Mind you, it has been enough already to help me accept the strong salty winds coming from the ocean.

    I also very much like the Rilke line.

    Blessings on your reading.

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  7. Pollinatrix -
    Spring is soooo fickle. Learning to accept that and the day as it IS - very challenging. But oh such beauty when I focus! Thanks as always for reading and commenting.
    xo

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  8. Claire,

    Oh I bet you're having a good with C's book. IT is FULL of wisdom and love. I'm enjoying it very much. Enjoy to you too!

    xo

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  9. i'm just puffing up all over like a robin in springtime as i hear your praise of christine's book. have you read page ix where i am acknowledged for the early read?!?!??! it's a wonderful delight and i'm excited to join her for her easter online class going through the book again.

    the earth and it's elements always bring new delights!! yesterday i went out for a walk - started with slightly cloudy skies, the wind picked up, i got pummeled by hail stones and ended with the sun warming my skin. i was out for about 30 minutes!!! crazy.

    xoxoxo

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  10. Hi Lucy -

    Well, chirp, chirp.....I'm on pages 46 and 130:) Fast reader, huh?

    Very exciting for Christine and all involved. She and Betsey were generous in their sharing!

    xoxoxo

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  11. i think you switched books... if you want to talk about this OTHER one... well, i'll have to go and recount my pages including the co-authored chapter :-)

    oh, we are such an accomplished bunch, huh? and modest too!!!

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