In light of the historic climate agreement reached yesterday in
Paris in which 195 nations, rich and poor, signed a covenant to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. This is the first globally unified step taken
to address the urgent need to protect creation from encroaching climate
change. For this landmark consensus, we give thanks! And so today's
reflection is from
Joy of Heaven, to Earth Come Down
by The Rev'd. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas
The
world into which we were born is shuddering before our eyes. Maybe half
the world's species could vanish before the century is out. Almost all
scientists agree that unless we move swiftly toward energy conservation
and efficiency unless we make a transition to clean, safe, renewable
energy, unless we redesign the infrastructure of our economy so that it
is no longer based on fossil fuels - and do this at top speed - then we
face runaway climate change. Without decisive action to cut greenhouse
gas emissions, the result of global warming - rising seas, extreme
weather events, heat waves and droughts, food and water shortages - will
cause unimaginable hardship. ....
That is one big
picture of reality. Here is another, just as real. God is the maker of
heaven and earth, of all that is real, seen and unseen. Our Creator God
loves the universe into being - every leaf and twig, every dolphin and
galaxy. God in Christ redeemed it all, fills it all, and longs to
restore it all. And God the Holy Spirit empowers us to become healers of
the earth, taking action especially on behalf of those who are weak,
hungry, marginalized, or poor, since they are the ones with whom Jesus
particularly identifies....
How wonderful it would be
if, one hundred years from now, our descendants looked back to us with
gratitude for stepping up boldly in the face of the ecological crisis
and for acting quickly and lovingly to protect life on this planet...
From the Third Sunday in Advent, pp. 41-2.
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