Stardust Wednesday Ritual

Feb18

We Are Stardust

Readers of this blog will be well aware that they are stardust. They might even

images-2remember when, where, and from whom they first learned that fact — or truly realized it. For many of us, the news was revolutionary. Talk about a paradigm shift!

As far as I can discover, few suspected this fact prior to 1929, when Harvard astronomer Harlow Shapley remarked that “humans are made of the same stuff as the stars.” Three decades later, scientists showed that the atoms of which we are made are not only the same as those in stars; the atoms that comprise our “stuff” were actually created inside stars! No wonder gazing at stars can have such a profound effect on us! No wonder we sometimes really feel that we are one with all creation!

Also awesome is the realization that we become star stuff by way of Earth. When Christians are asked on Ash Wednesday to remember that they are dust, they can remember the Genesis story of how God took Earth’s clay/ humus to form the first humans. They can also remember that human evolution dates back not just to the very beginnings of our Earth, but all the way back to stars!

Ash Wednesday

images-1 Traditionally, on Ash Wednesday Christians flock to Church to begin Lent by receiving a sign of the cross on their foreheads. Originally called “Day of Ashes,” this custom had begun by the 8th century. Many Scripture references, primarily in the Hebrew Scripture, tell of repentant people putting on “ashes and sackcloth.” Ashes were originally sprinkled on the head rather than marked on the forehead. The ashes are a reminder of our sinfulness and mortality; the sign of the cross reminds us of Jesus’ forgiveness of sinners.

The ashes come from the burned palms used the year before on Palm Sunday. People are usually happy to get a good black smear to prove that they appreciate the symbolism of this sacramental — even if we didn’t exactly come from ashes.

Stardust Wednesday Ritual 

The following ritual is not intended as competition for the usual Ash Wednesday practice. It is suggested as supplemental to the traditional ashes ceremony, or as an alternative for anyone who would not otherwise participate in anything. A two-sided copy of just the ritual is available from terrishcj@aol.com.

Organizer(s) and/or those participating: Adapt the following ritual in any way that will make it more useful. (Send suggestions to terrishcj@aol.com.) Decide how much to use, music, and readings. You might want to be creative with sparklers or glitter. If wanted, plan refreshments.images-6

Begin together: May the Divine Power living and acting within us deepen our wonder and appreciation of the fact that we are made of stardust!

Music: Sing or say the lyrics for “Born of a Star” from We Are the Land We Sing, Carolyn McDade: http://www.catholicmusic.us/carolyn-mcdade-cds.aspx

Born of a Star

Return
Return to the darkness, return
this longest night of wonder Return
Return to the dream, return
this holy night to ponder
Deep in the night, listen
listen
Turn to the light
waken, waken
Deep in the night turn to the light Waken to Sun’s ancient summons ~

we who are born of a star who then are we?
we who are loved by a star who then love we?

We who are born of a star who then are we?

Reading(s): (Select one or more)

• from Radical Amazement, Judy Cannato: The massive star that was mother to our Sun met with fiery death, her form completely annihilated be the explosive force of the blast. And yet she exists in each of us, in the cells of our bodies that are composed of her dust. Consciously or not, we carry her within us as surely as we carry the DNA of our biological parents [and ancestors].

• from The Cosmic Dance, Joyce Rupp: Our planet Earth was once a dancing star, evolving over four and a half billion years ago from the many elements of a colliding supernova. I have loved knowing that we are “made of stardust” as Brian Swimme and other poetic cosmologists tell us. I like knowing that the composition of my body has the elements of a star that was once brilliantly aglow in the universe and is now dancing in me. There’s a magical sense of connection that comes from this knowledge . . . .

• from Once Upon a Universe, Pat Bergen, CSJ/Ministry of the Arts: When our Milky Way was 5 billion years old, a [later] generation star was coming to the end of her life. This grand old star collapsed in on herself and then exploded in a blast as fierce and brilliant as a million stars. It was our grandmother supernova! Her death gave birth to hundreds of new, more complex elements — carbon, iron, calcium, oxygen, magnesium . . .  “stardust” flung far out into space. Gravity again went to work and drew the dust back into a hot, dense center. And voila! Our glorious Sun star ignited! The rest of the stardust gathered into 8 fiery planets of molten rock and gases, dancing with their moons in orbits around the Sun. Thus were born [what became] our home planet Earth, our moon, our great generous Sun, . . . our whole solar system.

 Quiet Reflection

 Sharing: What connection(s) do you find between this story and the stories of Jesus that we ponder during Lent and Easter?

 Intentions: Reply is “We are grateful.”
– for the Spirit present within the creative process of creation and within each of us, We are grateful.
– for the generations of supernovas that exploded, resulting in stars with increasingly heavier elements, eventually leading to the supernova that resulted in our solar system and galaxy,
– for Sister Dirt, because of whom we can enjoy food, flowers, plants clean air, shade, and revelations of the divine,
– for farmers who till the soil, especially our local farmers who do it organically using fair trade practices,
– for the scientists, theologians, thinkers, writers, speakers and artists who have helped us realize our place in creation — [Pause to quietly remember one or two who have helped you. Name them if you wish],
– for those present and throughout the world committed to creating a flourishing Earth,

 Blessing: Join in 2’s or 3’s. Allow a few moments for people to think of a prayer for their partner(s). Then, in turn, each extends hands over (or on) the other’s head and says a blessing, wish, or thanksgiving. (E.g., John, may God’s loving Spirit deepen our awareness that all creation is one. Pat, thank you for bringing your starlight into my life. Al, I bless you and the star-stuff you invest in caring for creation.)

 Socializeimages-3

 

Water

Feb4

 

Have you noticed an increase in news and articles about water lately? Seems to me every day there is something new: mostly alarming and occasionally heartening. It’s a concern for everyone, but for those of us who find all of creation sacred and interconnected, it calls to our very sense of identity with the One. This could seriously disrupt — indeed, is disrupting — the wondrous and evolving cosmic story . . . . Ramifications for people and all life, present and future, motivate us to learn and act.

First some good news:

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A few days ago I watched an interview with Matt Damon and Gary White, co-founders of Water.org. Motivated to reverse alarming water statistics, like the fact that a child dies about every 20 seconds for lack of clean water, they work with micro-finance groups to help local people construct simple and usable wells to access drinking water and also to provide sanitation. To date, Water.org and these loans (98% of which get repaid) have helped five million people get water! Damon received the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award in Davos, January 21, 2014, for his efforts to improve the world’s water situation. Of course, this improvement does not cheer the “water mafia,” those presently making money from delivering water expensively, or the loan sharks. http://www.youtube.com/user/water

Water.org is just one of numerous groups dedicated to providing water and sanitation. Perhaps you belong to one or regularly receive email alerts from one or more. You might want to google “organizations concerned about water” to learn about many others.

But these organizations only exist because of the bad news. People in the United States often think of water problems as happening in other countries, but recent news accounts testify to water shortages and pollution even in the United States. Some examples, here and elsewhere:

 California drought

California is facing an historic drought expected to become the worst in its history. imagesThis will ruin the state’s agriculture and ranching; already ranchers are selling off their stocks. With 90% of the state gripped by drought (62% in “extreme” drought), 2014 could become a giant fire year. Federal officials from the Department of Agriculture have designated ten other US states as disaster areas due to drought.

 West Virginia pollution

images-2 Freedom Industry in West Virginia recently spilled dangerous coal-washing chemicals into the Elk River that put 300,000 West Virginians at risk and cut off their safe water supply. In violation of West Virginia law, Freedom Industries did not report the spill immediately. Schools in at least five counties were closed for days, and hospitals had to rely on bottled water donations.

 Pakistan groundwater

Bottled water is a huge threat to water in Pakistan (and other countries) because industries like Nestlé drain groundwater to make its bottled water. This destroys a country’s natural resource and forces people to purchase their own water back. Villages become uninhabitable. Nestlé’s current chairman was caught on tape saying that water is “not a right.” This violates law as well as common sense and morality.

According to figures compiled by the local environmental office, only 5 percent of the water remains.

Iran is facing a water shortage potentially so serious that officials are making contingency plans for rationing in the greater Tehran area, home to 22 million, and other major cities around the country. Iran’s largest lake has only 5% of its previous water. President Hassan Rouhani has identified water as a national security issue.

 Bolivian water wars

While searching for films about water in Spanish that I could recommend in my Lent

Cocha

2014 resource: Tengo Sed: Un Viaje Cuaresmal de Desierto a Jardin, I watched a film about the Water Wars in Bolivia in 2000. Even the Rain juxtaposes treatment of indigenous peoples under Spanish conquerors with Bolivians fighting against privatization of their water in 2000. (I judged it too violent for many viewers, and some would object to the language. In addition, it stops with a happy ending that omits the water struggles that continue to this day.) Privatization and taking water for bottling causes untold hardships and wastes water and energy. Other films — e.g., Flow – for Love of Money, Tapped, and Blue Gold — address this issue.

 Lent resource: I Thirst100_0452_2

Anyone wishing to heighten his/her appreciation of the wonder of water, its sacredness, its precariousness globally, and how we can respond in faith might consider using, alone or in a group, the five-session Lent resource found at https://ecospiritualityresources.com/lent: I Thirst: A Lenten Journey from Desert to Garden. Grounded in the cosmic story, this free resource includes components that have made my Advent and Lent resources useful on four continents: reflection, input, sharing, action suggestions, group prayer, and socializing. creativity is encouraged.

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As 2014 begins

Dec31

New Year’s blessings to all!

New beginnings:

And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that have never been. Rainer Maria Rilke

January 1 is but a day past December 31, yet it holds special significance for imagesall who follow the Gregorian calendar.* Together, the end of one year — with its joys and sorrows — and the start of a new year — with its unknown possibilities — call for celebration, reflection, gratitude, and  motivation for renewal – and possibilities of less violence and human trafficking.

* The Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582 by the Roman Catholic Church, grew from the Julian calendar, which had been used since the Romans. Protestants and Eastern Orthodox countries continued to use the traditional Julian calendar and only gradually adopted the Gregorian in order to simplify international transactions.  The Gregorian calendar now predominates in the Western world and is recognized by the United Nations.

On January 6, Christians in the Orthodox traditions celebrate Christmas. Christians in the West celebrate Epiphany, with its symbolism of wise persons coming to acknowledge the beginning of a new era in the cosmic story.

Jan. 31 begins Chinese New Year, the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. It begins the Chinese year 4712.

One way or another, there’s a spirit of new beginning and unity as people everywhere begin the cycle of new calendar life.

Looking ahead

January is Poverty Awareness Month. Poverty is a cause and/or a result of the issues remembered on the following three dates. I suggest we keep them in mind as the year begins:

 January 11, Saturday, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. look-beneath-the-surfaceThough the day is national, the issue is definitely global.

“Human trafficking is the most extensive form of slavery in this twenty-first century!”  Such was the Easter 2013 message of Pope Francis.  In November the international workshop in Vatican City, “Human Trafficking: Modern Slavery,” brought together 82 representatives of Church and State as well as NGOs and civil organizations, whose Statement on Trafficking in Human Beings presents 42 tasks to eight (8) groups to “make ours the last generation that has to fight the trade in human lives.” For 3-page statement, click here.

images-3January 28, Tuesday, won’t be marked officially on any calendar, but those opposed to nuclear weapons are aware that this is the date three non-violent and unarmed protestors — Megan Rice, SHCJ, Michael Walli, and Greg Boertje-Obed — will be sentenced for entering the Y-12 facility grounds in Tennessee in July 2012. The ease with which these Transform Now Plowshares reached the highly enriched uranium storehouse alerted the US government to the insecurity of this and other nuclear weapons facilities, and alerted everyone who cares to the illegal, wasteful use of tax dollars.

images-4Theirs was not an action many would take. After all, they knew they were risking their lives. They knew not all would approve. But they knew they were called to do this.

Present law requires these protestors for “a healed, peaceful planet” to receive the same sentence as would violent terrorists. Please join the Sisters of the Holy Child and support groups in many locations as we pray that Judge Amul Thapar will adjust the sentence to fit the action. (If you wish to write to Judge Thapar, see: http://transformnowplowshares.wordpress.com/category/updates/.

Mail can be sent to Megan at this address:
Sr. Megan Rice, SHCJ
#1226166
Knox County Sheriff’s Detention Facility
5001 Maloneyville Rd.
Knoxville, TN 37918

For a full account of this incident and its follow-up, read The National Journal Group article: http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/q-jailed-nun-voices-no-regret-trespassing-nuclear-arms-facility/.

JANUARY 28 UPDATE: THE TRIAL IS POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY 18.

February 2, Sunday, is a date known to all sports fans in the West: Super Bowl Sunday.

images-1 I include it here because Super Bowl Sunday is known to be the peak event for sexual trafficking in the United States annually. Held this year at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey, perhaps it will lose this unpleasant distinction thanks to the efforts of many groups.

Among the groups working to reduce trafficking this year, the Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment (TRI CRI) and  the New York Coalition of Religious Congregations to Stop Trafficking of Persons (NY-CRC-STOP) are contacting managers of area hotels to urge awareness/adoption of “The Code” (Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct) of ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) http://ecpatusa.org/wp/what-we-do/tourism-child-protection-code-of-conduct/  and to inform them that training of hotel staff is available from ECPAT. For more information: Info@polarisproject.org, www.freetheslaves.net/page.aspx?pid=497, www.freetheslaves.net/page.aspx?pid=497

A group of students from the Academy of the Holy Angels who attended a student-run and student-led summit, Not On Our Turf, were so inspired and galvanized by what they learned about trafficking that they created this video:   https://docs.google.com/a/holyangels.org/file/d/0B4lmR7Qpim58OWRHRl82VVExNk0/edit?pli=1. (The School Sisters of Notre Dame, members of the Tri-State Coalition, run the Academy of the Holy Angels.)

Please join those using the following prayer before and during Super Bowl Sunday to make this the most trafficking-free year ever:

 Loving God, as [our nation/ the United States] celebrates the annual Super Bowl event, we pray for those women, men and children for whom the Super Bowl means abuse, exploitation, and entrapment.  May the preventive activities lessen as much as possible the impact of human trafficking.  We also pray for all vulnerable victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse.

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