I know what the three words of the title means. Seasons of creation is a rather simple idea, but without some context, it does not mean too much. That is how I looked at it, until I read an article that explained a season of creation is specific and something I can imagine many of us wanting to participate in and support. Brian Roewe writes in a way that informs me and challenges me at the same time.
I quote him to give us a sense of what season of creation means. “The Season of Creation is a monthlong prayerful observance that calls the planet's 2.2 billion Christians to pray and care for God's creation.” The month begins on September 1, which is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. I did not know this special day existed, but I am not surprised. It is an opportune time to ask earth’s 2.2 billion Christians to take some stand for this beautifully created world. That is a lot of people! Basically, one out of nearly every three human beings on the planet is a Christian. We can make an impact.
This is especially timely now in the face of the climate change issues we surely confront. I know there are some folks---politicians and others---who roundly deny there is any issue with the earth’s climate. But here I prefer to go with the growing majority of scientists who say otherwise. Many point to a variety of signs that indicate our planet is being stretched and wounded in ways that do real damage.
The sad part is I am old enough that I don’t need to care at all, and I will be out of here. It is sad, because it takes me off the hook of responsibility. I can declare that I don’t care because it won’t affect me. And that, my friends, is about as selfish as it gets. What about my grandkids, whom I expect will live till 2100? It will affect them. My selfishness can be costly to them in ways I don’t want to happen.
This season of creation is a “time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation,” says the call to celebrate this season. One of the things I like about this focus is the ecumenical nature of the endeavor. Catholics are finding more and more ways to engage the process. I did not realize the Orthodox Church has been doing it since 1989. There are now Lutherans, Methodists and others. So, I am happy to join this witness of brothers and sisters. I hope other Quakers are doing it too.
For Catholics it is an easy way to celebrate the papal encyclical (worldwide letter) by Pope Francis I entitled, Laudato Si, which focus on our care for our common home---the earth. I have read this document and am very much in favor of the focus and flavor of this. Pope Francis is quite reliant on his namesake, St Francis, the late-medieval friar who witnessed through his vow of poverty and simplicity. I have always resonated with the Franciscans, although I admit to falling woefully short of their ideal.
Perhaps, if you are inspired to think about this season of creation, you might take some time to read the Pope’s words. I think you will be refreshed and, no doubt, challenged to do more for our planet. I labor with questions about the sacredness of our earth. If God created it, which I believe in some fashion that God did, then we cannot pollute and trash it the way we are currently doing. When we turn earth and nature into simple “things,” then we are not bothered by the ease of manipulation. Certainly, things like recycling count. But it is a bigger challenge than simply recycling my cans.
A number of groups are into planting trees. I read where the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis is pushing this approach. I give thanks for some of my friends in that Archdiocese who are leaders in this effort. I think it is good to ponder what kind of practical action can we take. It is one thing to pause for a moment of prayer. We might even go to a gathering of people who are celebrating Mother Nature, as we come to know her. How about a time of celebration and conserving? Add something to the celebration.
I would like to do more than simply go to a meeting about this. I have been toying with how I might involve students in some kind of project. This would have the dual benefit of making them aware and then actually doing something that might benefit the globe on which we live. Of course, many of us who read this have enough money, we could probably share something to help save the Amazon Forest, that is quickly being destroyed. And likely, there are similar projects in our own backyards that deserve our attention and action.
I like this idea because it is rooted in my faith and my theology. To recognize and celebrate a season of creation turns my affirmation that God created the world into a real-life action piece. It is a wonderful way to turn belief into action.
I want to be counted in to make this a special season of creation.
Those of us who have read theology or, perhaps, those who are people of faith and are old enough might well recognize this title as a reminder of the late Jewish philosopher and theologian, Martin Buber. I remember reading Buber’s book, I and Thou , when I was in college in the 1960s. It was already a famous book by then. I am not sure I fully understood it, but that would not be the last time I read it. It has been a while since I looked at the book. Buber came up in a conversation with a friend who asked if I had seen the recent article by David Brooks? I had not seen it, but when I was told about it, I knew I would quickly locate and read that piece. I very much like what Brooks decides to write about and what he contributes to societal conversation. I wish more people read him and took him seriously. Brooks’ article focused on the 2016 contentious election. He provocatively suggests, “Read Buber, Not the Polls!” I think Brooks puts
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