“Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.” Psalm 74:17
by Sarah Macias
This morning’s sun rising through the gate seems an appropriate way to greet these days leading us to Summer Solstice. Saturday June 20th is the first day of summer and at 4:44 PM CST on that day, the Sun will appear to ascend to its greatest height in the sky.
It is a day that has many ties to agriculture. The Dominican Sisters at Genesis Farm celebrate this every year saying, “As the intense upward springtime growth of leaves and flowers begin to subside, and pollination has taken place, the first fruits appear. As the fruit begins its ripening process, we are called to acknowledge what a generous gift this is from Earth. We are also awakened to the rhythmic cycle of life, death and rebirth. Without fruiting we would have no true food. Without true food we would have no true seed. Without true seed, this precious cycle would be broken, and it is upon this cycle that all life depends.”
Both Earth and Sun are honored “as they work together providing nourishing conditions for the fruit to reach its full potential. Just as plants bring forth fruit and seed at this time of year, human consciousness is called to higher intention. It is a time to engage clarity in the constant struggle between ego and selflessness. Humans are called into service to something greater than ourselves so that the rhythmic cycle of life, death, and rebirth is sustained.”
The Sisters go on to say that “these reminders are crucially important in these times when so many of our human activities are creating the instability and chaos leading to severe climate change and unprecedented violence and suffering.”
In these days leading up to 4:44pm CT on Saturday June 20, when there is the most light available to us, may we seek our own creative ways to bring more life and love into this world.