Tis the season of viriditas. It’s a Latin word that means ‘greenness” but to the 12th century Christian mystic Hildegard of Bingen, the term went beyond just a color. For her, viriditas was a symbol of the creative spark, the life force that permeates all existence and catalyzes the transformation from dormancy to bloom. This green vitality was seen as the physical expression of God’s presence, nurturing both the natural world and the human spirit.
As camp is now awakening into its viridian season, I am aware of how the greening of all things is an invitation to explore the ways that God is “greening” our hearts, minds and spirit. By that, I mean that the Holy Spirit stirs in us to see anew the grace and peace of God’s love for each one of us. As we are living into Holy Week and the Easter season, we are reminded that we are a resurrection people, and we ultimately have Christ to thank for that; and we also have God’s creation as a visceral expression of what was once dormant that now is sprouting forth and green with new life. This is the pattern for us as disciples of Jesus: what was believed to be dead, is alive again.
I’m excited to be thinking about how our summer together at camp recreates the creative spark of the Holy Spirit. What ways might campers, staff and volunteers be feeling are dormant in their lives, only to experience the power of God’s Spirit working through the ministry at camp as a kind of chrysalis experience!
Spring presents a viridian blueprint for renewal. When we are invited to embrace the energy of spring, we are invited to shed old patterns, rejuvenate our inner landscapes, and celebrate the continuous flow of life. My prayer for every camper, staff, volunteer, board member and camp supporter is that we experience God’s viriditas/renewal/awakening/resurrection in our lives and at camp this summer. Happy Easter! Happy Spring! Happy Viriditas!
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