By Sr. Doreen, SSJD.
Sister Doreen’s Reflections
This is the week on the calendar that announces the first day of Spring, and it turns my thoughts to poetry – and reflections – I share the following poem with you by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr:
“Blessed are you, Spring, bright season of life awakening.
You gladden our hearts with opening buds and returning leaves
As you put on your robes of spendour.
Blessed are you, Spring. In you is life no death can destroy.
As you exchange places with winter you harbour no unforgiving spirit
For broken tree limbs and frozen buds.
Blessed are you, Spring. You open the closed buds of our despair
As you journey with us to the flowering places.
Blessed are you, Spring. You invite us to sing songs
To the frozen regions within and to bless the lessons of winter
As we become your partner in a new dance.
Blessed are you, Spring. Like Jesus, standing before the tomb of Lazarus,
You call us “Remove winter’s stone, come out,
There is life here you have not yet tasted.”
Blessed are you, Spring, free gift of the earth.
Without cost we gaze upon your glory.
You are a gospel of good news for the poor and rich alike.
Blessed are you, Spring, your renewing rain showers and cathartic storms
Nurture the potential that sleeps in Earth’s heart
And in our earthen hearts.
Blessed are you, Spring, season of resurrection, sacrament of promise.
Like Jesus you rise up out of the darkness,
Leaving around you a wake of new life.
Blessed are you, Spring, miracle child of the four seasons.
With your wand of many colours
You work your magic in the corners of our darkness.
Blessed are you, Spring, season of hope and renewal.
Wordless poem about all within us that can never die.
Each year you amaze us with the miracle of returning life.”
