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Rooted in Spirit - United in Love |
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Pleasant Valley Church of Religious Science |
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PASTOR’S PEN By: Rev. Pam SPIRITUAL TAPESTRY Weaving of the Universal Fabric FAMILY PORTRAIT
We all look forward to the day when science and religion will walk hand in hand from the visible into the invisible. Ernest Holmes Dear Ones, Since 1970, April is traditionally the month, in California, when we honor the wonder of life on our planet by celebrating Earth Day. Traditionally held in the Spring it is a day when the hearts and minds of people can join together with uplifting, peaceful thoughts of harmony and Earth’s rejuvenation. As Religious Scientists, the spiritual significance of the meaning of this day serves as a won(one)derful affirmation and reminder that we are One Humanity sharing a sacred home and whatever we do to ourselves we do to our
Mother Earth. Many of our great philosophers and writers were also naturalists and metaphysicians. Naturalists, like Thoreau, Darwin, Audubon and Emerson, who had profound appreciation of the sacredness of all nature in which we are immersed. Emerson wrote: ‘Spirit Supreme Being does not build up nature around us, but puts it forth through us.’ Today, scientists, philosophers, spiritual and metaphysical leaders have come together in a unity resulting in a profound and undeniable quantum leap in how we view our world. They confirm what our Transcendentalists and Metaphysical teachers, like Dr. Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science, revealed to us centuries ago that there is no separation between science and religion. We are immersed in the One Mind of God. Our Native Americans were some of our first naturalists. They also have served as great teachers in helping to raise our awareness and appreciation of our sacred nature and connectedness with all life.
Chief Seattle’s 1854 profound and eloquent response to the offer from the United States government to buy land from Native Americans and ‘reserve’ a place for his people to live, is one of the most spiritually moving pieces ever written about the connection between God, man and nature. Below is an abbreviated version: ‘Every part of the earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony and man – all belong to the same family. The shining water that moves in the streams and rivers is not just water but the blood our ancestors. The water’s murmur is the voice of my father’s father. The rivers are our brothers, they quench our thirst. The rivers carry our canoes and feed our children. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.’ This month I invite you to join us as we take a deep inspirational look at and explore, together, our profound spiritual oneness with all of Creation. I would like to end with lyrics from Modest Mouse, a rock band introduced to Patrick and me by our 16 year old son, Spenser, and his friends. It’s a song about how we are a mere reflection of the earth, which is the reflection of the universe, which is eternal. It reassures me and renews my belief that our planet is in good hands. It’s in the hands of our children. ‘The universe is shaped exactly like the earth When you go straight ahead You’re going to end up where you were And that’s how the world began And that’s how the world will end The third planet is being watched by an eye in the sky When we get to the Promised Land We’ll see its eye and shake its hand At that’s how the world began At that’s how the world will end It occurred to me that the animals are swimming In the oceans in our bodies And the oceans in our bodies are just like the Atlantic And that’s how the world began And that’s how the world will end’ Blessings and loving ‘knowingness’ that our senses are fully awakened to our oneness with all life. And as we become enlightened we light the path for all in the ongoing creation of a positive future for, the third planet from the sun. A place we call home. Mother Earth. Rev. Pam |