On most mornings Nancy and I take a walk through our beautiful neighborhood. Along with the songbirds, whatever flowers are in bloom, and rising sun, we also see litter left by lazy and inconsiderate people. That doesn’t ruin our walk; but it adds nothing of value to it. While Nancy drove to work one morning this week she watched workers picking up trash along the highway, filling bag after bag with trash, most of which someone tossed onto the highway.
Why mention this? This year Earth Day, April 22, falls on Good Friday. In 1970 Gaylord Nelson, a Democratic senator, and Pete McCloskey, a Republican congressman, collaborated to heighten awareness of air and water pollution. Twenty million Americans joined them in activities supporting better care of our environment. That was the first Earth Day, which helped to prompt creation of our Environmental Protection Agency. This year some Christians will focus on caring for our environment while meditating on Jesus’ crucifixion.
Why mention this? Let’s start by observing that a psalmist declared, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1) and Paul proclaimed, “The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God ... in hope that creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:19, 21). I claim not that Jesus was an environmentalist, but that following Jesus and caring for the earth are compatible. According to Matthew, Jesus noticed lilies, fields of grain, birds of the air, the color of the sky, fruit bearing trees, mustard shrubs, and at least one fig tree. We depend on the earth from which, according to Genesis, we were made. We glorify God as we follow Jesus and as we practice good stewardship of the earthly home God provides.
In keeping with our Lenten challenge to “pick up” a ministry rather than “give up” something to eat, let’s do something “green” along with our acts of discipleship in preparation for Easter. The theme for Earth Day 2011 is “A Billion Acts of Green”®, personal and corporate acts of sustainable living. We can express our gratitude for Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection by doing something for our earthly home. That need not be our only act of Lenten discipleship; but it’s not a bad one. Let me save a few folks the trouble and confess that I drive a pick-up truck, have some clothing dry cleaned, and live in a larger home than I need (among other sins). I planted twelve trees this spring and plan other acts to remind myself of God’s call to faithful stewardship. I write not as someone sinless, but as one who grieves my sinfulness. Only God can cleanse me, but I can say thank you by participating, even if only in small ways.
On Good Friday, as our choir proclaims the gospel through John Rutter’s Requiem, I will continue my Lenten confession of my sins that add to the brokenness of humanity and prayers for God to lead me in new paths. This year I will also reflect on my impact on the earth and pray for God to lead me into more faithful ecological stewardship. Care to join me?
Grace and Peace,
LP
mwpc-church.org
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