EDGE: April 19

Care for God’s Creation:  The World we Live in – The Environment

OBJECTIVE:

To learn about our call to care for God’s creation as stewards of what God gives us.

OVERVIEW:

The environment can be a bit of a tricky subject for some.  This night is not about whether the planet is warming or cooling because of man’s existence.  Rather, this is a look at how God calls us to be stewards of His creation.

It can be difficult to understand the role of a steward in a society that isn’t ruled by a monarch.  In a monarchy, stewards are selected to watch over the king or queen’s land, money, crops, animals, etc.  The steward understands that everything in the kingdom belongs to the king and so proper care must be kept so that the king or queen’s resources are not wasted.  So to is it with us.  God calls us to be worthy stewards of His creation.  Psalm 24: 1-2 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.”

Concern for the environment is one of the newer dimensions of Catholic social teaching.  Prior to the Industrial Revolution, human impact on the environment was limited and localized.  With the growth of factories, and the globalization of goods and services, demand upon the earth’s resources has risen substantially.

God promises that He will not be outdone in His generosity.  This can be seen in the richness and beauty of creation.  Nature and indeed all of creation reveal something about God.  Respect for life includes all creation.  In Genesis, when God gives man dominion over the earth, it is not a free license to use the earth and its resources at will with no accountability.  Care for God’s creation is also tied to other Catholic social teachings.  All persons should have access to God’s creation equally.  The Catechism states:

The Seventh Commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation.  Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity.  Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives.  Man’s dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor; including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation (2415).

We are called to live simply so that others may simply live.  This will help to ensure that creation can sustain future generations.  We have a moral obligation to protect the planet – respect God’s creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for human beings.  Creation is for the good of all humanity, not the individual.  As stewards of God’s creation, we must ensure that God’s creation is properly cared for and all people have equal access to His creation.

Summary Challenge (Points to Remember):

1.  God has asked each of us to do an important job:  to care for His creation.

2.  As a part of our sinful condition, we sometimes forget that we are part of creation.  However, we must recognize that God has given us dominion over the earth, not to use it as we want, but to care for and respect it.

3.  Respect for life includes care of creation and the environment.

4.  We are called to live simply and be careful about how much we use so that the earth has resources for future generations.

Daniel 3: 74 – 81

“Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.”