Saturday, March 20, 2021

Silent Spring


 

Dear Friends

On this first day of spring, I just want to share a few quotes of Rachel Carson. She, as you know, is the author of “Silent Spring”, published in 1962. The book begins with “A Fable for Tomorrow”, well worth reading again to grab our attention and, hopefully, continue to call us to action. I just re-read it. It is so powerful and urgent.

I was reminded of her seminal work because she is the focus for the fourth week of Lent in a brochure I have been using: Lent: To Live Anew by Joan Chittister. (The drawing above by Marcy Hall is from this brochure). Here are the quotes:

+++   “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for human destruction.”

+++   “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”

+++   “One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, ‘What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?’”

+++   “Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”

+++   “There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature---the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”

Even for us spoiled Southern Californians, that last phrase, spring after winter, sounds and feels good! But as we feel good about spring finally arriving, the dedication at the beginning of Silent Spring is sobering:

To Albert Schweitzer who said

“Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall.

He will end by destroying the earth.”

Fifty-eight years later, progress has been made. But will we have the courage and political will to meet and defeat the dire predictions that remain?

For the beauty of the earth, for our children’s children, Good Lord, deliver us!

John

 

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