God’s Nature Renews the Spirit

By Joe Sullivan, MJ • Phoenix, AZ

Flashlights? Check! Backpacks? Check! Water? Check! Map? Check! Move out!! 

Almost every Saturday evening here in Phoenix our hiking group hits the trails. The Greater Phoenix Valley has plenty of places to hike: Camelback, Piestewa, South Mountain, Superstition, etc. Our Miles Jesu motley crew is composed of about 20 friends and members of Miles Jesu from 6 – 64 years of age. In fact, our newest member, Marian, age six, just climbed Phoenix’s second highest mount, Piestewa Peak. He did great! The reason for the hiking group is not only to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and for us to get exercise, but also to enjoy each other’s company, bond with one another, encourage each other, and live in our faith family in a spirit of love. 

A mountain is a perfect place for spiritual direction. As we hike up a mountain, we talk, joke, and laugh. At the same time, we get serious. Safety first! We learn the rules to keep safe on dangerous terrain, from the heat, from getting lost, from the dark, and from wild animals like rattlesnakes (and we have seen our share of snakes). One may ask, “What does this all have to do with evangelization?” God’s nature renews the spirit.

We read in the famous “Flowers of St. Francis” how St. Francis, and many times his friars, would go out into the forest to pray. There is much to be said about seeking and finding God in His creation. On our hikes we learn to fill our minds and souls with God. It is “Ostium Sanctum” – Holy Repose – so that we are renewed and energized in Our Lord even in our recreation. St. Bernard says we should rest only in the Lord. By seeking God in all things, when it comes to passing God’s love to others, it comes as natural as a fresh, crisp spring.