May 17, 2010
Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
“Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” John 16:32-33
Piety
Only God creates but we are called to protect and enhance that creation.
Only God gives us life but we are called to cherish life.
Only God makes us grow but we are called to nourish that growth.
Only God gives faith but we are called to be signs of God to each other.
Only God gives love but we are called to care for each other.
Only God gives hope but we are called to give each other reason to hope.
Only God gives power but we are called to get things going.
Only God can bring PEACE but we are called to build bridges.
Only God can bring happiness but we are invited to be joyful.
Only God is the way but we are called to show the way to others.
Only God is light but we must make that light shine in the world.
Only God makes miracles happen but we must offer our loaves and fishes.
Only God can do the impossible but it is up to us to what is possible.
Only God is love but we are called to love and care for each other.
May we hear again the message of Jesus; ‘to love God and to love our neighbor.
Study
Even though they are strengthened by the words spoken by Jesus, the disciples will continue to be tested in faith. And Zechariah’s prophesy will ring true in just a matter of hours: Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed, and I will turn my hand against the little ones. (Zechariah 13:7b)
The cross that Jesus will carry the next day is the intersection of the heavenly and the earthly realms. That intersection only brings conflict. Jesus brings these two realities together in his life and in his death and in his resurrection.
Jesus has conquered the world of sin. However, to see to that final victory will require him to die to this world leaving the continuation of His work in our hands. If we are to continue building the Kingdom of God on Earth, then we must take courage in His fight and take up that quest on our own.
These words seem to light up awareness in the minds of the disciples. No longer do they seek answers from Jesus. They now know what Zechariah prophesized – that “The Lord is my God.” (Zechariah 13:9c) The tests are not over but they are more prepared to face the road ahead.
Action
According to the web site for Earth Share (www.earthshare.org): “It was a sad and tragic end to Earth Month: In what’s probably the worst oil spill in U.S. history, the rupture of the Deepwater Horizon rig now threatens hundreds of species of fish, birds, and wildlife and the livelihood of thousands of people who depend on a healthy coastal environment.”
Numerous organizations are seeking citizens help to clean up beaches or to support clean up efforts. The Environmental Justice Program (EJP) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) began in the fall of 1993 and is located within the Department of Social Development and World Peace (SDWP).
EJP seeks to educate and motivate Catholics to a deeper reverence and respect for God’s creation, and to engage parishes and dioceses in activities aimed at dealing with environmental problems, particularly as they affect the poor. EJP acts as a resource for Catholic dioceses and state Catholic conferences, and through them Catholic parishes.
Its distinctively Catholic foundation lies in Pope John Paul II’s 1990 World Day of Peace message and the U.S. Catholic bishops’ statement, Renewing the Earth, issued in 1991.
EJP has close ties to the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) and relies on the partnership to provide resources and support for many of its ongoing initiatives. The National Religious Partnership for the Environment is an association of independent faith groups across a broad spectrum: the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Council of Churches U.S.A., the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, and the Evangelical Environmental Network.
Each partner — in common biblical faith but drawing upon its distinctive traditions — is undertaking scholarship, leadership training, congregational and agency initiative, and public policy education in service to environmental sustainability and justice. Together, they seek to offer resources of religious life and moral vision to a universal effort to protect humankind's common home and well-being on Earth.
Support the efforts to clean up the environment by getting more familiar with the policy statements of the USCCB Environmental Justice Program.
