December 15, 2009
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
By Beth DeCristofaro
Thus says the LORD: … On that day you need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, And you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. (Zephaniah 3:11-12)
Which of the two (sons) did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. (Matthew 21:31)
Piety
The Lord hears the cry of the poor. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. The Lord redeems the lives of his servants; no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. (Psalm 34)
Study
Advent is a wonderful time of the year for me. Advent calls me back to community when many days I would just like to hunker down wrapped in a blanket with a good book. But the passionate Scripture readings, children’s concerts, the communal Penance services, the music and gatherings draw me out and draw me in to the spirit of waiting and the exultant hope of a Savior to be born. It is in ironic contrast, then, that I am being drawn to an even larger community this year. The global climate conference in Copenhagen, complete with scathing rhetoric and frightening statistics, has me aware of the natural world around me in a different way. As we wait, preparing our souls, families and communities for the birth of a divine baby, we must also prepare and nurture the world which that same divinity created and gave to us.
On Sunday, Bill McKibben, writer on climate issues, was interviewed on American Public Radio’s Speaking of Faith. I was struck not only by his expertise on historical and scientific issues but also his perspective that humans are morally responsible and called by faith to stewardship of the earth. McKibben referred to the book of Job in which God challenged Job’s questioning of God’s actions. Gird up your loins now, like a man; I will question you, and you tell me the answers! Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. … And who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling bands? When I set limits for it and fastened the bar of its door and said: Thus far shall you come but no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stilled! (Job 38:5, 9-11) God reminds Job that God is creator. God, not Job, is the center of the universe. It is to God’s glory not to human credit that the waves of the sea swell and flow.
McKibben pointed out that for the first time in human history, humans do, in fact, have the power to make enormous changes in God’s creation. We can and do raise the levels of the sea bed and (with the melting of the arctic ice) the levels of the seas themselves. Cyclones have grown in numbers and strength during the modern years with significant impact on low-lying countries. Although I do not suggest that the “reason for the season” is climate change action, it is not too difficult to acknowledge that some of humankind’s actions are rebellious and full of bragging rights in the face of God’s gifts of creation.
Action
Listen to the interesting interview with Bill McKibben at http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/moral-math/
Read the US Catholic Conference of Bishops: “What does climate change have to do with my Catholic faith? The Catholic Church brings a unique voice to the climate change debate by lifting up both the moral dimensions of caring for God’s creation and the needs of the most vulnerable among us. The Catholic bishops’ primary concern is to place the life, dignity and needs of the poor and vulnerable at the center of climate legislation. Poor people should not bear an undue burden of the impacts of climate change or the global adjustments needed to address it. To learn about Catholic teaching on climate change, read the June 2001 statement by the United States Catholic Bishops, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good.” http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/climate/2009-11-03-alert-climate.pdf
What are you doing? Writing to President Obama and your representatives at the state and federal government? Lobby for a solution such as greater investment in public transportation including better infrastructure and investment in trains. Do you Buy local produce and products? Whatever your stance on the scientific evidence for climate change, stewardship of our natural resources and sharing of our abundance is a Christian and a Catholic stance.
