Boiling Frogs

“The Earth sustains humanity. It must not be harmed; it must not be destroyed.” -St. Hildegard of Bingen

This month is hottest month since scientists began collecting and recording climate data. New single day records for hottest global temperature were set back to back on July 3 and 4, exceeding 17°C (62.6°F) for the first time. Although the level of warming is only about 2.4°F since preindustrial levels, that little bit is making big differences, showing just how fragile our hospitable environment is.

We’re racing toward an environmental precipice. We have to do something. Oh, but that’s hyperbole, right? We say this every year. Yes, because it’s worse every year. Yet because the constant drum beat as been regulated to another bit of background noise, we’ll failed to heed it’s warning. Plus, what are we supposed to do at this point anyway? It feels like not that urgent an issue and too urgent to fathom at the same time—both leading us to our response of nothing.

Inexpressible Groanings

It’s been an odd few weeks, with the returned gathering of the sticky black cloud. I mostly blame the humidity. It’s that part of summer where the air is thick and hot, seemingly acerbating feelings or motivations. I don’t want to do anything. I only want to lounge and wait for the crisp relief of an autumn day (which may be months away). I’ve managed by venerating the genius of Willis Carrier and looking up housing prices in Nordic regions. But mostly, summer is a season of endurance for me.

So it’s no surprise that the image of the Holy Spirit as a rushing wind is appealing in this season. Who wants tongues of fire? I want cooling consolation.

St. Giovanni Gualberto

St. Giovanni Gualberto (John Gualbert) was born in 985 in Florence. He came from a noble family and was known to be a self-absorbed rich kid in his youth. When his brother was murdered, Giovanni sought out the murderer, intending to kill him in revenge. But when he and his armed friends did find him, it was Good Friday, and Giovanni granted the murderer’s plea for mercy. 

This act of mercy must have had an effect on him, because he soon gave up his free-willing life to join the Benedictines. In fact, it is said that after the incident, he entered the Benedictine church at San Miniato al Monte to pray when the corpus on the crucifix bowed its head to him in recognition of his generous and merciful act. Giovanni begged Christ for forgiveness and that week cut off his hair and began wearing an old habit that he had borrowed. This story is the basis for the painting "The Merciful Knight."

Though his father was against it, Giovanni joined the Benedictine order and sought out a simple, penitential life. He spoke out against simony, which both his abbot and bishop were participating in. He left his order for a stricter religious life. He settled in Vallombrosa where he founded his own monastery in 1036. Brother Giovanni admired St. Basil and St. Benedict and hoped to model his order on their writings. One notable difference from other monasteries, instead of installing a traditional garden, the monks at Vallombrosa planted fir and pine trees.