As Precious Blood people we believe in the redemptive sacrifices of Jesus and offer our lives in service to the Lamb of Reconciliation. We are sensitive to the daily dyings in our personal life through disappointments, diminishments of body and mind, and in the experience of the dark night of our particular soul. We are attuned to the pain of our family and friends and we find the suffering Christ is their midst. We watch the world stage and weep for the Christ of the poor as He is nailed to the crosses of power, control, greed, and even persecution in the name of religion. We wonder if it is possible for Christ to endure anything more.

Yet there is still another voice of the suffering Christ; it is the voice of Christ that is groaning with all of creation. Amid all the pressing pain of the human condition this voice is too frequently ignored. As we hurry to tend the wounds in our human family the lifeblood of creation continues to spill unabated and too often unobserved.

How soft and safe have we made the Paschal Mystery appear in creation? We look at the change of seasons and muse about the wonderful symbolism that nature provides in order that we might understand the cycles of suffering, dying and rising. We delude ourselves into believing that all we need do is give thanks to God for the bounty of the earth. This is not the Paschal experience of our earth! If we would really hear the Christ of the earth then we must be prepared for anguish and unease. We are challenged to hear, "This is my body given up for you," as toxins are spilled upon the earth and bulldozers tear up the rainforests to satisfy the gluttony of the rich. "This is my blood, which is being poured out for you," can be heard in the oil slickened rivers and the lakes choked to death in the downpours of acid rain.

As we rush to respond to the obvious sufferings of Christ can we hear the horrific cry of the earth as well? Do we shout to the heavens, "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy and help us understand our place in creation? Help us, Lord, to see that the blood of the rivers and oceans, which we call water, is your life-giving presence and our lifeblood. Help us to see the connections of caring for the planet and caring for the poor and needy, for they are a seamless garment. Help us to balance ourselves on the cross of this earth so that all creation can share in the resurrection. Send your spirit to enlighten those of us that can not see the connections between survival of the earth and ministry to God people."

Let us not do an ecological head-trip when a heart trip in humility is required. And if we find this all too much then let us kneel upon the earth and ask to recognize the true reconciling voice of Christ suffering with this planet. Perhaps we will come to realize that voice is Holy.

--- Janis Yaekel ASC

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What are some of the connections to be found between the Paschal experience of the
   earth and the sufferings of the poor?
   
2. How do I participate in the pain of the earth?