February 2011
Walking Gently on Earth
- What images and questions come to mind as the phrase above is read?
- How has there been celebration at what has been and is being done
- What reflections exist in need of greater clarification with regard to food security, food sovereignty, climate change, water, genetically modified organisms and sustainable development?
- How can each individual enter into deeper action as a result of continued nurturing of spirituality and education of the above topics?
In Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI states, “The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility toward those whom are poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole…Our duties toward the environment are linked to our duties toward the human person, considered in (herself/)himself and in relationship to others. It would be wrong to uphold one set of duties while trampling on the other.” (48, 51)
To acknowledge the gift of Earth and nurture a relationship with Earth is to foster a foundation for actions toward Earth and all creation. Actions, whether conscious or unconscious, indicate beliefs, values, and assumptions. Fr. Diarmuid O’Murchu writes “A list of mental illness and the huge amount of stress that we suffer as humans are because of what we are doing to the planet, because of the ongoing destruction of the environment. Until we begin a new relationship with the cosmos around us, we can’t know how to relate meaningfully to anything, especially our own innermost being. Without this meaningful relationship between humans and the Earth, the planet suffers profoundly and so do we suffer grievously both physically and in our psyches as well.”
A book entitled, The Voice of the Earth by Theodore Roszak sketches the emerging field of eco-psychology. Eco-psychology examines the health of Earth in relationship to the health of humanity. In this book, Theodore asks, “Does it make much sense to aspire to health in the individual when her or his surrounding and sustaining environment is on the decline in every way?”
Thus, a consistent nurturing of relationship with Earth in our spiritual life can change our beliefs, attitudes and values and thus support a healthier self, Earth and cosmic community. What does it mean to cultivate a relationship with Earth?
- Spending time with Earth and creation so as to become one with all life
- Acknowledging and experiencing that all creation in physical form is Earth elements
- Gathering the wisdom of Earth and creation in such a way that “the dots” are connected between the sacredness of life and the challenges Earth and all life faces in surviving, especially those most vulnerable and those who live in poverty
- Learning about the bioregion (geographic region) you live in, understanding the ecosystem, watersheds, human and nonhuman communities
- Acting as a result of awareness in consumption habits, stewardship of resources, building and community designs, treatment of Earth and all creation, etc.
- Working for social change of self, others, and institutions to become more sustainable
Action: Reflect upon what I know with regard to food security, food sovereignty, climate change, water, genetically modified organisms and sustainable development. Where am I being called to deeper spirituality and action? What reasonable goal will I set for myself this year as a result of the above reflections and the emphasis on Care of Earth?
Some resources that enable this process for education of self and others include:
- Thomas Berry (Dream of the Earth, The Great Work, then co-authored with Brian Swimme The Universe Story: From the Primordial Flaring Forth to the Ecozoic Era, A Celebration of the Unfolding of the Cosmos)
- Eco-feminist resources located in Media Center engaged in by the SCN Congregation
- Prayers for the Earth by Elizabeth J. Roberts and Elias Amidon
- The Earth Charter
- The Green Bible
- Audiovisual resources include The End of Suburbia*, The Story of Stuff, Kilowatt Ours*, Blue Nuns Go Green, and Faces of Food, Inconvenient Truth*, The Great Turning, Thirst*, The Work that Reconnects (* indicates Media Center resource)
- http://www.greenpages.org/
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World Interfaith Harmony Week is February 1-7
In October 2010, the United Nation's General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to recognize World Interfaith Harmony Week annually during the first week of February. The initiative was sponsored by HM King Abdullah II of Jordan who states that World Interfaith Harmony Week is "not a call to water down one's faith but rather it's a call to respect our differences and personal beliefs and to unite around basic principles that people of all beliefs agree upon and to understand that harmony can only come if we build upon a solid foundation of dialogue that has "Love of God and love of the neighbor" as its core principle for engagement."
The official UN document:
- Reaffirms that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace;
- Proclaims the first week of February of every year the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs;
- Encourages all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world's churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, based on love of God and love of one's neighbor or on love of the good and love of one's neighbor, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions;
- Requests the Secretary-General to keep the General Assembly informed of the implementation of the present resolution.
Actions:
- Write a personal email or letter of support for this initiative and post it at http://www.worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/ at the appropriate place.
- Organize an event in your ministry or work on the first week of February to celebrate Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Consult the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations website to find inspiration to develop your own project for the 2011 World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Join with others around the world during the week and host an interfaith meal at your parish or in your home. Bring together those of different faiths to share prayers, meditations, chants, intentions or music from different spiritual traditions. The goal of this program is to recognize and to create greater understanding and cooperation between those practicing the many different forms of human faith around the world.
- Take the time to inform yourself about the beliefs of another religious tradition.
- Visit a worship center of another religious tradition.
- More resources and ideas on how to celebrate the day are available and the United Religions Initiative is also preparing a toolkit to share ideas and resources.
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The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The healthcare bill signed by the President in March 2010 was repealed by the House of Representatives on January 19, 2011. House members in the majority tag the bill as too costly and undermining job creation. Opposing this argument is data from the Congregessional Budget Office that estimates the repeal bill increases the deficit by $230 billion through 2021 and data from the Center for American Progress finding that 250,000 to 400,000 jobs would be lost annually if health reform is repealed.
This process of repeal can also be seen as an opportunity for education of how the original healthcare bill expands and improves the quality of healthcare for U.S. citizens. According to Catholic Health Association (CHA), the following improvements and expansions have already taken place:
- All individuals are exempt of life-time limits on coverage or cancellation of policy when sick.
- Children and young adults can stay on parents' health insurance plans until age 26.
- Children cannot be rejected because of any kind of illness or disability by insurance companies.
- Seniors with the Medicare "doughnut hole" for prescription drug costs, will be filled.
- Seniors with Medicare beneficiaries will receive free preventative care services (e.g. cancer and diabetes screenings), free annual wellness check-ups and personalized prevention plans.
- Small businesses have new tax credits make health insurance coverage more affordable.
Additionally, CHA identifies the following in the Affordable Care Act:
- Health insurance exchanges, which support private market competition, have been embraced by leaders in both parties.
- The law’s requirement that everyone have health insurance coverage dates back to the early 1990s, when several Republicans introduced legislation calling for a similar requirement.
- Allowing the purchase of health insurance across state lines was supported by Republican leadership during the reform debate and is allowable under the reform law.
- High-risk pools that provide coverage for those with pre-existing condition were favored by both parties during the reform debate.
Action: Continue to educate others whom you minister to, friends you share with, and those you meet with about the realities of the health care bill. Personal sharing of stories and the reality of health care keep individuals updated on the impact of this legislation.
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How will I stand in solidarity with the U.S. immigrant?
At least 13 states have introduced legislation comparable to the Arizona senate bill 1070 on immigration. That number could reach 25 states by the end of the year. States include: Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
Listed below are websites that may be useful for education and advocacy to oppose such legislation on the immigrant population. Working with local immigration attorneys and the state Catholic Conference is also essential.
- USCCB Justice for Immigrants
- Engaging Impasse with regard to immigration
Action: What do I know about the state legislature in terms of how long it meets each year? Where can I find information about what the state legislature does? How will I know if Arizona copycat legislation exists with regard to immigrants? What actions am I willing to make to oppose this legislation?
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