As you probably know, this weekend marked the beginning of
the deer hunting season. It’s no
secret that I love hunting and fishing, but deer hunting takes the cake. On Saturday I sat in a stand for over
six hours. Sunday I sat for over
four. I didn’t see a thing, yet
had a great time anyway.
Getting
outside to hunt affords me time of quiet and solitude. It helps me get away from the noise,
distractions and busyness of the world.
It also immerses me in God’s creation. So whether I get anything or not, I love time outdoors.
In
the first reading from Wisdom the sacred author declares, “…the spirit of the
LORD
fills the world.” Elsewhere in Wisdom, pagans were
denounced for worshiping things of nature because they didn’t give credit to
the Creator. I’ll admit, if I
never knew of God or Jesus Christ I would probably do the same. Something happens to me when I see Lake
Superior, serene woods, twinkling stars or a sunset that takes me out of myself
to a different reality.
St.
Thomas uses the order and beauty of nature as one of his five proofs for God’s
existence and seeing the above is proof enough for me.
A
couple of weeks ago I was praying at the abortion clinic during 40 Days for
Life. A young man came up to me
and asked me a series of questions.
Most importantly he asked, “How do you know God exists?” I replied, “Look around you!” (It didn’t help I was in downtown
Duluth). I wish I could have
talked with this searcher in a deer stand to attribute the beauty of creation
to God the Creator.
In
our busy and noisy society be sure to step out of the virtual world into the
real world. Take a walk or a hike
or sit down and enjoy the view. By
seeing God’s creation we get glimpses of God Himself.
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