Lent is almost over, and as a concluding point, let us remember to "Learn from God to create and not destroy. Be mindful that destruction shows a lack of respect towards our Creator and each other" (2013 Lenten Care for Creation Calendar). We put forth great effort to teach our children from an early age to respect others; let us not forget that the Earth is a living, breathing being who deserves our respect as well.
Maundy Thursday: Baptism can and should take on a different meaning for us if we consider how we have desecrated the world's waters with toxins. We knowingly, willingly, baptize ourselves in these waters, immersion in toxic rather than healing waters.
Good Friday: Fast from violence...thoughts, words and deeds against each other and against our world.
Easter: Rejoice. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son...
Monday, March 25, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Lenten Care for Creation Considerations March 17-23
As I went through the Lenten Care for Creation calendar for this week, I thought again about how many good ideas this organizational planner holds. Here are four that were particularly noteworthy to me this week.
1. Put out some bird food. Anywhere. The birds will find it. You don't have to have a fancy-dancy bird feeder (or over 30 as my mom does) in order to make an impact with wild life. Cracked corn...sunflower seeds...nijer seed...peanut butter slathered on pinecones...it all works. This one is easy and anyone can do it regardless of urban or rural setting.
2. Another easy reminder is to unplug unused electronics as much as possible. Granted, you might be disinclined to unplug your tv every time you turn it off, but it's certainly not an inconvenience to unplug any of the multitude of chargers households are accumulating now.
3. We've all heard of Meatless Mondays by now, right? How about Fasting Fridays where you fast from multiple car trips for one day a week. Is it possible? It certainly seems reasonable, and it's okay if it's something of a sacrifice, right? This is Lent after all.
4. Along the same vein, perhaps we can collectively be more mindful of supporting local eating establishments, even if it's just once a week. If you're someone who eats out regularly throughout the week, it is certainly something to consciously consider. Would you really miss the chain restaurant?
I find myself trying to qualify many of the ideas and reminders that I put on here as "oh, this one is easy..." insofar as I'm trying to not scare people away. But I realized that in typing this today, that's really part of the purpose. Care for Creation is often a sacrifice, but that's okay. We wouldn't think twice in sacrificing something small and easy to do for someone we love; why would we think any less of our love for the Earth?
1. Put out some bird food. Anywhere. The birds will find it. You don't have to have a fancy-dancy bird feeder (or over 30 as my mom does) in order to make an impact with wild life. Cracked corn...sunflower seeds...nijer seed...peanut butter slathered on pinecones...it all works. This one is easy and anyone can do it regardless of urban or rural setting.
2. Another easy reminder is to unplug unused electronics as much as possible. Granted, you might be disinclined to unplug your tv every time you turn it off, but it's certainly not an inconvenience to unplug any of the multitude of chargers households are accumulating now.
3. We've all heard of Meatless Mondays by now, right? How about Fasting Fridays where you fast from multiple car trips for one day a week. Is it possible? It certainly seems reasonable, and it's okay if it's something of a sacrifice, right? This is Lent after all.
4. Along the same vein, perhaps we can collectively be more mindful of supporting local eating establishments, even if it's just once a week. If you're someone who eats out regularly throughout the week, it is certainly something to consciously consider. Would you really miss the chain restaurant?
I find myself trying to qualify many of the ideas and reminders that I put on here as "oh, this one is easy..." insofar as I'm trying to not scare people away. But I realized that in typing this today, that's really part of the purpose. Care for Creation is often a sacrifice, but that's okay. We wouldn't think twice in sacrificing something small and easy to do for someone we love; why would we think any less of our love for the Earth?
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Lenten Care for Creation Calendar
My Lenten commitment to writing weakly about the Lenten Care for Creation Calendar has gone awry. However, my intent is to get going while the going is still able. So here we go for the week of March 10-16.
This information comes from a special Lenten Care for Creation calendar that was "designed by the Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation as one way you can creatively prepare for Easter this year."
The calendar begins the week with the suggestion to "Visualize one of your most spiritually meaningful landscapes. Let God fill your heart with this gift. In quiet and prayer, let God bring you peace through this landscape." I can think of no better imagery that can be conjured to help us individually focus our minds and intentions on preparing and renewing the Earth.
Many of us are indifferent to, apathetic about, or ignorant of ways that we can advocate for Earth-friendly laws and regulations. Regardless of "large scale" commitment, we can all do the small things, which is a decided focus taken from this week's calendar.
Commit to becoming cognizant of water waste through drips and leaks.
Commit to using lighting energy effectively and recognizing lighting waste.
Commit to cloth napkins/towels in lieu of paper.
Commit to caring for your car; adjust tire pressure if necessary to avoid wasting gas.
Any or all of these is probably easier to commit to than you might otherwise think. For example, our household only uses paper towels to clean up after our cats. This week, I discovered that a damp cloth and a quick scrub works just as well on our carpeted areas. That's it--no chemicals and no paper waste. And since we keep a stash of old dishcloths and other stained up cloths handy in a closet, it's no harder to grab a cloth than it is a paper towel.
Lent is a season of renewal; perhaps you will be willing to challenge your commitment to renew your pledge of fostering a well Earth.
This information comes from a special Lenten Care for Creation calendar that was "designed by the Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation as one way you can creatively prepare for Easter this year."
The calendar begins the week with the suggestion to "Visualize one of your most spiritually meaningful landscapes. Let God fill your heart with this gift. In quiet and prayer, let God bring you peace through this landscape." I can think of no better imagery that can be conjured to help us individually focus our minds and intentions on preparing and renewing the Earth.
Many of us are indifferent to, apathetic about, or ignorant of ways that we can advocate for Earth-friendly laws and regulations. Regardless of "large scale" commitment, we can all do the small things, which is a decided focus taken from this week's calendar.
Commit to becoming cognizant of water waste through drips and leaks.
Commit to using lighting energy effectively and recognizing lighting waste.
Commit to cloth napkins/towels in lieu of paper.
Commit to caring for your car; adjust tire pressure if necessary to avoid wasting gas.
Any or all of these is probably easier to commit to than you might otherwise think. For example, our household only uses paper towels to clean up after our cats. This week, I discovered that a damp cloth and a quick scrub works just as well on our carpeted areas. That's it--no chemicals and no paper waste. And since we keep a stash of old dishcloths and other stained up cloths handy in a closet, it's no harder to grab a cloth than it is a paper towel.
Lent is a season of renewal; perhaps you will be willing to challenge your commitment to renew your pledge of fostering a well Earth.
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