A Cosmic Experience ........

A LENTEN PILGRIMAGE

Rev. Fr. K M George 

We climbed down the steps leading to the large pond in front of the ancient temple of Sringeri .

 The Mutth, the monastery of Sri Sankara, the great Advaita philosopher who founded the four seats (Peeth) of Vedic learning in the 8th century AD, is close by. The pond, open to the river, is teeming with hundreds of big Holy Fish. They are playful and not at all scared of the curious visitors who feed them with popcorn and bread. The fish come close to us; we can touch them; children play with them. We saw a woman gently stroke the head of a huge fish as if she is caressing her own child. The fish, like a dolphin, seemed to enjoy the touch of affection and tenderness.

Imagine all the animals, birds and reptiles that we now describe as wild and dangerous mingling with us in playful joy and intimacy. Adam and Eve had this experience in the Garden of Eden before they sinned. Adam was asked by God to give names to each one of the creatures in the world. We know that naming a child is an act of love and hope. We dream of a great future, bright and joyful, when we name a child. So Adam had a cosmic experience in which not only human beings but all creatures lived together as one family.

Referring to the scenario of the world after the flood the Book of Genesis reflects the Word of God:

“The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the Earth , and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and all the fish in the sea."

(Genesis 9:2)

What a terrible situation! The relationship of friendliness and harmony between human beings and the rest of creation suddenly turns to fear and dread, and consequently to violence and bloodshed.

Lent is a period when we meditate on the paradise bliss of life that we lost because of human sinfulness. So we repent. But our repentance is not simply for our personal sins and shortcomings only but for the restoration of the whole order of creation back to its pristine joy and perfect communion with God and with all of God's creation.

We sing in the liturgy of the Hours during the period of fasting:

"The doors of Paradise are opened by the Lent. Those who observe it well shall receive the brightness of angels and the wings to soar up to the heights."