IHM EarthCare Update

Winter refuses to let go in the Northern hemisphere. By now, many of us who inhabit this corner of the world may be weary of its accompanying ice, sleet, snow, or the restlessness of cabin fever when we’re confined indoors.

As we look out the windows of the IHM Center or wherever we find ourselves and gaze at a seemingly barren landscape, we’re reminded of the wisdom of Japanese farmer Mizuta Masahide. In the 17th century, he witnessed his barn catching fire and
being incinerated into ashes. A tragedy, certainly. But out of this experience, he crafted a fresh perspective in these two lines:
Barn’s burnt down.
Now I can see the moon.

That’s the paradox, isn’t it? Masahide grieved the loss of his property, and at the same time received a surprising gift: an unobstructed view of the moon. He realized that what seemed like a disaster or a sort of death instead invited him into a new way
of seeing. Removing limitations (the barn) revealed the moon fully visible.

At this time on our IHM Land Plan, winter appears to have stolen from us the greening of spring and summer. Yet we veterans of many winter landscapes are confident in our knowing that what our limited vision shows us is an illusion. In spite of outward appearances, winter is the season for rest, for contemplative living, for deep listening, for patient tending of the inner world.

In February, we hold a certainty that spring is inching closer. As we prepare for the liturgical season of Lent, we remember that its Old English root is lencten, meaning “spring.” Right at this moment, invisible or dormant life forces are preparing to defy death and prove that resurrection is both possible and promised. Our EarthCARE committee wishes for everyone the full greening of life within and around us in our beautiful yet wounded world.