If we were to add a commandment reflecting the call to God’s people in our century, this might top the list of priorities: “You shall reverence the earth.” People have long delighted in the beautiful surroundings for the human journey. But for the first time in our history, our planet is gravely threatened. While this commandment is not one of the official ten commandments, we have a long tradition of respect for God’s creation. The Book of Genesis shows God lovingly shaping the solar system, oceans, lands, vegetation, and animals in a crescendo that leads to humanity. When God gives humans “dominion” over other creatures, the implication is wise stewardship rather than blatant exploitation.

Many psalms are suffused with an appreciation of nature. Psalm 96 personifies the natural world praising God: “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them. Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice before the Lord (Psalm 96: 11-13).” Likewise, Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures is an outburst of joy in the sun and the moon. Saint Clare reminded her congregation to “praise God” when they saw “beautiful trees, flowers, and bushes.” Both saints traveled lightly. Their commitment to poverty translates into the slogan of today’s environmentally conscious people: “Buy less stuff.”

Each week, Catholics celebrate the Eucharist, whose root word means “to receive well.” Our [daily and] weekend celebrations should spill into a life of receiving well, especially the earth’s many gifts: food that energizes our bodies, [along with] the sights of mountains, streams, stars, or sunsets that feed our spirits. As Rachel Carson writes in Silent Spring, the absence of birdsong with all it represents would make our environment eerily quiet and rob the soul of sustenance. With such a rich tradition of respecting the earth, we Christians should naturally take practical steps to reduce our carbon emissions and hence, climate change. The scientific community agrees that we can take steps to save the planet now, to prevent our grandchildren from asking: “Why didn’t they act when they could?”

Warning signs are clear. The polar ice caps are melting fast because dangerous gases trap the sun’sheat. The average car driven 10,000 miles per year releases 5.5 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingslover points out that our children will have shorter lifespans than us because of their junk food, obesity, and poor quality of air and water. We know how to solve this problem. Apologies to those who know these steps already, but for those who do not: Use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances. Drive a hybrid car. Walk or bike when possible. Recycle. Turn down the thermostat. Plant trees.

Hopeful signs of community awareness and cooperation abound. More than one thousand American mayors have signed the Climate Protection Agreement to reduce carbon emissions in their cities. Many companies, churches, schools, and homes are committed to going green. “Oikos”, which is the Greek word for “household” (the root for ecology, ecumenical, and economy) underscores the link between our individual households and God’s house, creation. In her novel, Animal Dreams, Barbara Kingslover records a conversation with a native American who explains that God lets us live in this house and that we should send a note of thanks just as we would after being anyone’s guest: “We appreciate the rain, we appreciate the sun…Sorry if we messed up anything. Thanks for letting us sleepon your couch.” Reverencing the earth is an active way to express our thanks!

Note: Kathy Coffey is an author, retreat leader, and university lecturer.

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (7-21-19)
Bringing Home the Word (7-21-19)

__________

Praying with Pope Francis
A Prayer for Earth: Our Common Home