Care for Creation

A Lenten reflection from Bishop Bud Cederholm, shared during the Bevy of Bishops Lenten series on March 11

The theme Lent and Creation Care could be subtitled –Holy Habits for a Holy Ground.  How might holy habits such as  Fasting (Carbon Fast anyone? Go to http://www.macucc.org/carbonfast), Prayer, Study, Worship, Meditation, Contemplation, Examination of Conscience, Service, Gratitude etc. sustain us as we work toward a sustainable  environment?  Let’s look at our biblical mandate from Genesis to care for creation.

In his books, Does God have a Big Toe, Rabbi Marc Gellman tells us that we have been created in the image of God to be God’s “partners” in tending and caring for creation. Partners never give up on one another. God will never give up on us and we must never give up on God when we live as stewards of God’s creation. So partners, how have we been doing?  NOT so good according to 95% of scientists and from what we observe happening to all life on earth as a result of Climate Change caused by our action and inactions, greed, apathy and lifestyles. For the sake of all life and what our grandchildren will inherit, I believe that we must see  Climate Change as the # 1 moral, justice issue the Church and world face today. This is not about fear and guilt (though we all bear some guilt for rising temperatures and acidic oceans).

As followers of Jesus who pick up our crosses to follow him in service to others, we believe in Faith, Hope, and Love. God, through Christ is pleased to reconcile ALL things to himself, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of the cross. (Colossians 1:19-20). I have Hope because people of faith are “picking up their crosses” all over the world, serving Christ and, with God’s help, reconciling with creation,  repairing, restoring and renewing what we as humans have done to the earth and all life. I have HOPE because Hildegard of Bingem has taught me to really LOVE creation. In the 12^th century she said, We shall awaken from our dullness and rise vigorously toward justice. If we fall deeper and deeper in love with creation, we will respond to its endangerment with passion.  YES!

So friends of the earth, as people of passion for the environment can we live out our baptismal promises to love our neighbors (including our non-human ones)?  Will we strive for peace and justice and respect the dignity of all people and all life on earth together?  Will we do so repentant,   continuing in the apostles’ teaching, breaking of bread and prayers (and holy habits)?

A question to ponder:  Describe a place in Nature that will mourn your death when you are gone.