Care for God’s Creation

Care for God’s Creation
 
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…God looked at everything He had made and found it very good.” (Genesis 1: 1-31) “The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.” (Genesis 2:15)
 
If you’ve ever witnessed a glorious sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico…or walked amongst the majesty of tall pine trees in the mountains on a cool morning…or simply sat on your front porch and admired the passing doldrums of Winter turning into the rebirth of Spring…then you have had the distinct and privileged pleasure of experiencing God’s Creation in all its splendor!
 
While the first book of Genesis informs us that we are the beneficiary of God’s Creation, we are also tasked in Genesis 2 with the responsibility of cultivating and caring for it—an awesome responsibility, no doubt.
 
The 7^th of the Catholic Church’s Seven Themes for Catholic Social Teaching is Care for God’s Creation. Popes from John XXIII (Pacem in Terris) to Benedict the XVI (Caritas in Veritate) to the current Pope, Francis (Laudato Si), have written encyclicals on the topic with varying critical reception, depending on one’s political perspective. One thing is certain (I think): regardless of your political view of the environment, no one wants dirty air, water, or land. And yet, with the media’s constant attention to environmental matters, it’s easy to slip into a secular discussion about the environment, its care, and the impact (or not) of the world’s people.
 
The Earth (and its natural resources of water, air, land, oil and gas, minerals, etc.) was created by God…for the benefit of all people…with the responsibility to care for it (i.e.: use water…but do it responsibly; use oil…but with minimal impact in its sourcing and refinement).  Because when you really think about it, it doesn’t matter what you believe politically or even if you believe that climate change is caused by humans, the main point is that we are still called by God to protect the environment and be responsible stewards of those breathtaking sunrises, majestic pines, and the eruption of Spring…and all of the other wonders of creation that God gave us.
 
Our St. Hubert Parish family manifests God’s call to cultivate and care for the environment through the Environment & Art ministry, whose mission serves to foster good liturgy and create awareness of the holiness of the Mass. God’s creation is announced and reflected in each liturgical season through the character and beauty of the worship space and leads to a deeper experience of the mystery.  Our surroundings provide a sense of hospitality and inspire vibrant, engaging prayer. This ministry is, perhaps, just the beginning of our call to Care for God’s Creation. Is there more we can or should do? Probably.
 
“God blessed them and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)
 
For more about the Environment & Art ministry, visit our parish website. If you are interested in becoming part of a new Environmental ministry, please contact Deacon Allen Tatara.
 
      —Vince Viverito