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Here in Southern Ontario, October is a month of abundance - gardens, farmers markets, and orchards overflow with vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
In John 10:10 Jesus said these words - “I came so everyone would have life, and have it abundantly.” This kind of abundant life isn’t measured by productivity and success, achievement, wealth and power. This abundance looks more like shalom - fertility of the land and the wellbeing of all inhabitants - human and more-than-human alike. This kind of abundance is characterized by peace, gladness, and joy in having enough to share. To live well, to live abundantly, we must overcome division and isolation and recognize that our own flourishing depends on the flourishing of all in the community of creation, of neighbours near and far. In the closing lines of Wendell Berry’s poem, The Wild Geese, are these words of wisdom: Geese appear high over us, pass, and the sky closes. Abandon, as in love or sleep, holds them to their way, clear, in the ancient faith: what we need is here. And we pray, not for new earth or heaven, but to be quiet in heart, and in eye clear. What we need is here. Take time to wander, and to reflect on what is here. Where do you see abundance? How are you experiencing abundance in your life? What wisdom is this season offering you today? We remember that sometimes there is an abundance of pain, sorrow, heartache, injustice, and that, too, needs to be named and honoured.
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I go outside,
and my mind expands as far as the horizon, as expansive as the sky. Boxes keep things tidy, contained, appropriately small. I think we like to keep God in a box, sized to our liking, neat and organized. Outside, I am bigger than my self. God is bigger here, too, more obvious, more mysterious. God teases me: Over here, look, listen: Do you recognize me? God blows through my body and shines on my skin, sings with the cicadas, and delights my eyes with colour and texture. I lie in the grass and want to stay forever, even when the ants tickle my legs. I am held in this moment between history and future, vultures soaring above, microbes multiplying below, living their own holy moments. No takeout box can capture the extravagant excess of this numinous experience. I can only take bits with me, in my being, not in boxes, gifts of my becoming. - Wendy Janzen |
AuthorReflections, poetry, prayers, photos, and resources written by Wendy Janzen unless otherwise noted. Archives
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