An Ecological Examination of Conscience

The season of Lent is a time for personal reflection. It is often a time of penance when some choose to fast and others try to give something up that they enjoy or commit themselves to doing something positive. This year we have seen the tremendous destruction throughout the world caused by natural disasters and are becoming more aware of the role we, as humans, have played in it by continuing to view creation as a source of exploitation rather than a gift from God. EarthConnection is offering a new approach to a very old tradition: the examination of conscience. What follows is an Ecological Examination of Conscience which invites you to take a few moments each evening to reflect on your relationship to creation throughout the day.

Begin by quieting yourself down. Let go of all that troubles or disturbs you. Reflect on the gift creation has been in your life this day and on your role in the ever-evolving creation story. In the words of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “We are collaborators in creation,” and as collaborators, we have an integral role to play in safeguarding this incredible gift, not only for those alive today but for future generations.

An Ecological Examination of Conscience

  • Pray for the gift of wisdom.
  • Pray that your eyes may be opened to all that you saw in your environment today.
  • Simply rest in God’s presence.

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

  • What are you thankful for in creation today?
  • How did you show your appreciation for nature today?

Reflect on the Day

  • What in nature reflected the beauty and blessing of God’s image for you today?
  • Where were you most aware of God’s gifts in creation today?
  • Did you stop during the day to look at the beauty around you?

Where Are Improvements Needed?

  • How many times did you walk from one place to another and not even notice evidence of God’s gifts?
  • What can you do each day to remind yourself to stop and breathe in and out slowly reminding yourself of God’s presence?

Look Forward to Tomorrow

  • What gift do you seek for tomorrow?
  • What commitment are you willing to make?
  • Pray for the gift to be open to all that creation has to offer you.
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The Wisdom Within

The late Canadian-American anthropologist, Anthony Wallace, posited the idea that we are living in a “Revitalization Moment”. He said there were four distinct stages to this moment: Stage One – serious individual stress; Stage Two- alienation everywhere; Stage Three – people agree there is a problem, but not how to cope with it; and Stage Four – the emergence of a new worldview and the restructuring of old institutions to enable it.

As we look at our society today we see evidence everywhere of stages one and two from individual loners engaging in terrorist attacks to rhetoric promoting violence and hatred leading to a resurgence of hate groups (anti-Islam, anti-black, anti-immigrant, etc.). Most people agree there is a problem, as stage three indicates, but not how to cope with it. And so we find ourselves increasingly polarized within nations as well as between and among nations. Increasingly hostile words are exchanged leading to armed conflict. We hear that more money is needed for security; more and more powerful weapons must be developed; a higher wall must be built. Yet history has taught us that more weapons do not lead to peace. In the words of the late General Omar Bradley, “We live in a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants, in a world that has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. We have solved the mystery of the atom and forgotten the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about dying than we know about living.” 

It is easy to just give up; to say “there is nothing I can do.” But then there is stage four. Stage four challenges us to recognize that each of us has a role to play in creating the emergence of a new worldview. Critical to this new view is the realization that “everything is connected”. Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon clearly stated this: “Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth…these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.”  Pope Francis in his encyclical “Laudato Si” reminds us that “Everything is related and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth.”

This new worldview, which can and must restructure old institutions to enable it, must flow from deep within each of us. None of us can bring about this new worldview alone, but each of us has a role to play. The first step is to pray for the wisdom to see that everything is connected. When this realization touches your core, it does not matter where you start. What is your passion? How are you living out of that passion? What organizations do you belong to that need restructuring? How can you be a voice for change? How can you work with others whose passions may differ from your own but whose lives are also an integral part of the whole? What steps will you take to become a strong and colorful thread in the tapestry of creation?

All real change begins from within. The following Native American tale helps us to see this so clearly: Long ago, before anyone can remember, people lived in harmony with each other and will all of God’s creation. Gradually, however, they separated themselves from the oneness that they knew. The elders became greatly concerned that the people no longer lived as the Great Spirit intended so decided to take away the gift of harmony until such a time as the people were ready for it.

They gathered up the wisdom and met in council to decide where to hide it until the time the people would be ready to receive it. One of the elders suggested they hide it in a deep cavern located in a series of caves. But others said that the people often went where they did not belong and surely someone would find it before it was time for its return. Another suggested dropping it into the bottom of a lake that was so deep no one even knew where the bottom was. At first, they thought this might be the answer, but then another elder said, “No, these people fish and surely one of them will hook it and bring it up before it is time.”

Now the elders were becoming greatly frustrated. They felt so keenly the responsibility to safeguard the wisdom the Great Spirit had given them but did not know where to hide it. Then a small voice spoke up. It was the eldest woman of the clan and she said, “Let’s hide it inside of them. They will never think to look there.” And they all knew they had their answer.

That wisdom resides in each of us. May this New Year gives us the courage to take the time to look within to find that wisdom and to share our piece with the millions of others throughout the world who are also longing for peace and harmony.

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Celebrate an Earth-Friendly Christmas

Christmas is a time of great joy; a time to gather with family and friends and celebrate the birth of Jesus and to remember that God is always present among us. The preparations often involve running from place to place to buy gifts, writing out Christmas cards, decorating the house and a million other last-minute preparations for the holidays.

This year think about celebrating an earth-friendly Christmas. Here are a few ideas:

Earth-friendly gift-giving ideas

  • Shop locally. Support local craft persons and artisans;
  • Buy gifts made of recycled materials;
  • Make your own gifts;
  • Have a white elephant gift exchange: everyone gives a gift they find around the house without spending any money;
  • Buy fair trade items; a few good sources:

www.tenthousandvillages.com        

www.serrv.org

www.thelittlemarket.org

Make your own Christmas cards

The following sites provide excellent ideas:

www.pinterest.com/explore/easy-christmas

www.bhg.com/christmas/cards/make-your-own-christmas-cards/

Spend an evening making Christmas ornaments with the family

www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/20-easy-handmade-holiday-ornaments-and-decorations-pictures

www.pinterest.com/explore/christmas-ornaments/?lp=true

www.ofdesign.net/interior-design/christmas-tree-decorations-made-from-natural-materials-20-ideas-to-make-your-own-2447

Make a Christmas wreath

www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/how-to/g1253/diy-christmas-wreaths/

www.marthastewart.com/276349/how-to-make-a-wreath

www.bhg.com/christmas/wreaths/

Bake Christmas cookies

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/841/holidays-and-events/christmas/desserts/christmas-cookies/

www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/dishes/cookie-recipes/christmas-cookies

www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/christmas/g2177/easy-christmas-cookies/

www.goodhousekeeping.com/best-christmas-cookies-recipes/

Give a donation in someone’s name as a gift

A few ideas:

heifer.org

kiva.org

microfinancingafrica.org

www.internationalmissionforchildren.org/

Most important of all take time to prepare yourself.

The following are some youtube sites for personal reflection and prayer:

A reflection on the names of Jesus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqU7h2om18I

This Christmas could be different
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIOuga8LBZc

Relaxing Christmas music:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DChDhKFHVO4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-__PcqLe0tc

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEcRxAGHxoA

A few quotes for reflection:

“Incarnation names and celebrates the embodiment of God in the whole of creation.”

– Diarmuid O’Murchu

“God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it.”

– Pope Francis

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” –Alexander Smith

All of us here at EarthConnection wish you and your families a very blessed, joyous and peace-filled Christmas season. May the Miracle of Christmas fill your lives now and always.

Sr. Winnie Brubach, SC – Facilities Coordinator
Sue DiTullio – Administrative Assistant
Sr. Caroljean Willie, SC – Program Director

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