VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP Hawaii Catholic Herald
For the most part of my life, I have been a teacher. I really love teaching in the elementary grades such as at St. Theresa School. However, as needs arise, we keep adjusting to meet those transitions. Thus, I later became a caregiver to my sisters in community and in retirement, a housekeeper.
Housekeeping can be quite leisurable as I take care of the things around the convent. This includes fixing flowers and putting things away. Sometimes, natural frustrations in community arise as differences of opinion on where to put things, or in which way to do or address certain matters take place.
I have learned during these times to just let it go and fix it later. I was always a peaceful person, but then I started to exert myself in the wrong way. I was told many times that my reaction could be seen on my face, or heard in the tone of my voice. So I started correcting myself, praying to God to please take care of me so that I could overcome the problems I was having. I wanted again to be a peaceful person.
One of the ways that I nourish myself and regain my peacefulness is through nature. My prayer practice is nature. I love nature. One year, I went all the way to North Carolina to join a “Back to God in Nature” retreat. The facilitators talked to us in the beginning, had us make our lunches, and then drove us to the state park. There were streams, flowers, mountains and more there. We could do anything we wanted there, such as going on a hike, sitting by the stream, or just taking a long stroll.
God speaks to me through his creation. As I see things walking through nature, I take notice of how everything is of the beauty of God. Look at an orchid, for example, and the way it is formed, with its pastel colors. How can it happen that all the flowers are the same, and yet they are all different?
Through nature I am able to see the beauty in all. And in like reflection, to see the beauty in other people, and my own self as a wonderful creation of God. My favorite song “How Great Thou Art,” expresses this well:
“O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, / Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made; / I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, / Thy power throughout the universe displayed. / Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee, / How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”
Sister Jean Larm is a local Sister of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. She is 58 years professed and resides at Carondelet Community in Aina Haina.
