An Eco-Sensitive Spirituality

A deep-down church task is to weave an authentic ‘creation spirituality’. We ponder a vision that generates life for the world. We choose to respond when life systems are being threatened and eroded. We face the negative aspects of ecological and environmental crises: exploitation of resources; pollution of the natural environment; wealth and prosperity in the face of hunger and poverty; tension over land, water, oil, minerals, crops, seeds and food distribution.

Our appreciation for the Earth environment relates to creation. We ponder who we are in terms of creation and how we belong on the planet. A first ecological duty is to acknowledge that we share creature-hood with all creation. We not only open ourselves to the astonishingly beautiful planet that sustains us, we engage the mystery of a Creator-God.

Appreciation and respect for creation is a vital task. In all religions and cultures, life is sacred, not a commodity to be exploited or modified for trade and profit. People are partners in life with the Earth, the oceans, the lakes, the animal world, the mountains, the fish of the sea, and the birds of our forests and gardens. From such sources, balanced by the infinite hand of God, we draw life and nourishment.

We live in a world of extraordinary beauty, blessed with the wonderful gifts of creation, full of diversity in abundance. Our creation story is one of wonder, respect and gratitude. The rich notion of creation refers not only to what happened in the beginning, but to an evolving domain in which we share life. Appreciation is a central component in response. The rich notion of creation brings a sense of wonder and awareness into meditation, prayer and ritual.

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