When I cam across this poem by Mary Oliver, found in the pages of the book ‘Devotions’ which sits in the select stack of books by my bedside, I knew it would become a feature of my own Holy Week practices, as well be featured throughout the season during sessions of Spiritual Direction.

The poem quickly became a favourite as it brought God’s incredible creation into the narrative at the garden at Gethsemane. As I’ve been going through the 19th Annotation (the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius over 32 weeks), all of creation— from the atoms to the ants, the distant stars and melting snowflakes, the seen elements and the unseen energy— all respond to Christ.

It’s the idea of the world bearing witness to Christ during a time of such pain and suffering that continued on in my experience of scripture as I continued the exercises through the murder and resurrection of Jesus. Before we arrive at these parts, we find ourselves in the garden…

As you engage in Maundy Thursday, perhaps this Lectio Divina practice with the poem titled ‘Gethsemane’ can add a new depth, spin, or contemplative gaze to your day.