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| Fourth Sunday of Easter and Earth Day |
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| Passionist JPIC E-Bulletin | April 25, 2010 |
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Greetings!
This week we the Passionist JPIC observes Earth Day along with the global human community. Along with our lectionary reflection for the weekend we offer resources on promoting the Catholic principle of being responsible stewards towards all of God's Creation. Please visit the Passion for Justice Blog to see post related to care of creation.
The Scripture readings for this weekend remind us of St. Paul's innovative method of marketting the Christian message. Part of his genius is in knowing that the Gospel message is not confined to one group. The values and principles that St. Paul preaches is for the entire human family. The question we may have is how do we discern the authentic Gospel message and its principles when the social wisdom pervades every aspect of our lives. Like St. Paul we who continue to preach the Gospel message must be innovative yet authentic with the Christian message of forgiveness and Love. Visit the Lectionary Reflection Blog to engage in this discussion.
The Passionist JPIC E-Bulletin offers reflection and resources from the Passionist JPIC Office and from the Education for Justice Website. Please feel free to share these resources and to encourage people to be part of this list-serve.
Peace,
John
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Lectionary Readings:
- Acts 13:14, 43-52. Many converts and persecution at Pisidian Antioch. Many Jewish people joined in accepting Jesus as the Messiah, others resisted, even vigorously. The apostles Paul and Barnabas turn all the more firmly to the gentiles.
- Revelations 7:9, 14-17. In vision John sees a huge crowd from every nation and race, gathering before the throne of the lamb. "The lamb will shepherd them" and these will never again hunger and thirst.
- John 10:27-30. My sheep know me, says Jesus, and no one can snatch them out of my hand.
Calendar:
April 22: Earth Day April 29: Feast of St. Catherine of SienaApril 30: Arbor Day May 1: Feast of St. Joseph the WorkerMay 1: International Worker's Day
Quotes:Sad to say, it is all too evident that large numbers of people in different countries and areas of our planet are experiencing increased hardship because of the negligence or refusal of many others to exercise responsible stewardship over the environment. -Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Prayer for Peace 2010 The life and words of Jesus and the teaching of his Church call us to serve those in need and to work actively for social and economic justice. As a community of believers, we know that our faith is tested by the quality of justice among us, that we can best measure our life together by how the poor and the vulnerable are treated. -US Bishops, Economic Justice for All, #8 One of the first steps toward freedom occurs when, usually through the dynamics of a questioning, supportive community, oppressed people awaken to their own dignity and worth and begin to exercise their own power.-Elizabeth Johnson's, She Who Is, page 253  The ministries which exist and are at work at this time in the Church are all, even in their variety of forms, a participation in Jesus Christ's own ministry as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, the humble servant who gives himself without reserve for the salvation of all. -John Paul II, Christifideles Laici .... integral human development is closely linked to the obligations which flow from man's relationship with the natural environment. The environment must be seen as God's gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations. -Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Prayer for Peace 2010
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| Thoughts for your consideration: By John Gonzalez
This week's lectionary readings describe a powerful historical turning point for the development of Christianity. The first reading describes for us an innovative moment where St. Paul and Barnabas take a distressful challenge from the Jewish population and turn it into a golden opportunity. Being reproached by members of his own Jewish community St Paul declares: "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles." With this singular event the Great Apostle takes the Jewish Jesus movement and shifts it from a Jewish to a Gentile audience.
To understand the great historical and social significance of this moment is it important to consider the context from which this shift takes place. It would not be fair to characterize this passage from St. Paul as a condemnation of the Jewish people. St. Paul is preaching a new and powerful message during the twilight of the Jewish Temple worship. Until 70 AD the mainstream Jewish community is defending it Temple tradition as they see themselves as a challenged group with their authority crumbling from a variety of internal and external factors. St. Paul's missionary activity is during the 50's AD and his message of forgiveness and eternal life for all is exciting for the God-fearing Gentile community but it is also challenging the established and defensive Jewish community. In this case the Jewish community in Antioch reacts much the same way any institutionalized and established organization would react if it is fiercely trying to defend its own precepts and doctrine. St. Paul is a marketing genius. In the midst of push back from an established religious community he takes the calculated risk to bring the Gospel message to a new community.
In the Gospel and in the second reading we are assured by Christ that those of us who follow him will recognize the Good Shepherd and will enjoy eternal life. However, the fact of the matter is that many of us are not sure if we are on the right and narrow path that has been prescribed by Christ. This is a legitimate concern for many of the parishioners or retreatants that we encounter. It is also a legitimate concern for those of us who minister in the Church. We are conditioned by our own society and even though we may recognize that the wisdom of God is beyond and superior to social wisdom we become confused because we are constantly living within the social moment.
The Christian message is founded on Love and forgiveness. A message that is divisive and judgmental is not authentically Christian. The Christian faith has a prophetic message and as such it will have principles and positions. Because sin abounds in our world we continue to offer a message of individual and social repentance from the social idols that is pervasive in our culture but here again the Christian methodology is to compassionately offer people every opportunity to share in the Christian message not to carelessly shove it down their throats. The Christian social principles begin with the dignity of the human person and respecting the rights and responsibilities that flow from this inherent dignity. The other principles include the important role of the family, the promotion of the common good, the preferential option for the poor and the responsible care for all creation.
 These principles come from the Gospel message and are interpreted through the tradition of Catholic social teaching. The principles have evolved in order to address contemporary issues of social concern but they are founded on the core message that the Apostles preached. This week, for example, we observe the Christian value of being responsible stewards of God's creation as we contemplate Earth Day with our global human community. Many Catholic religious communities are doing what we can to continue promoting this principle along with the entire Gospel message and thus following in the footsteps of St. Paul and Barnabas. Jesus reminds us that the holistic words and examples of the Gospel will resonate with those who in truth aspire to follow the Good Shepherd. The message and ministries of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation is a sacred message that we will continue to preach even in the midst of oppositions from established organizations that are defensively protecting the status quo. Like St. Paul we will try to be innovative with marketing the Gospel message to those who can recognize the consistent and eternal message of the Good Shepherd. |
10 Things You Can do to Care for the Earth (adapted from Education For Justice)
 Catholic Social teaching calls us to take responsibility for our use and care of the earth. The decisions we make can make a positive difference by heeding the call to be better stewards and care about our impact on the earth. Global climate change has been a major topic in the public spotlight these days. While everyone from scientists to politicians are joining forces to address this reality, there are numerous simple things each one of us can do to make a difference.
1. Plan car trips ahead of time - If you are like most people who live in their car, take stock of the number of unnecessary trips you make in a given week. Plan your errands, meetings, pick-ups and routes ahead of time in order to cut back on your contribution to CO2 car emissions and gas use.
2. Use Earth-friendly cleaners and other organic products - The products that you use to clean your home may actually be harmful for the earth, containing damaging chemicals and upsetting the ecological balance. Seek "green" cleaning products that are biodegradable and designed with the earth in mind. Visit the National Green Pages to find cleaners and other products that are ecologically safe and organic.
3. Use your bike - More and more cities are jumping on the bandwagon of cutting gas emissions by promoting bike paths for commuters. Consider using your bike to get to or from work, or if that is impractical, consider increasing bike use on the weekends to make those shorter trips to the store, The earth will benefit and so will your overall health.
4. Look for the Energy Star - When making purchases of new appliances, check to see that they are carrying the Energy Star symbol indicating that they are designed to be more energy efficient than other models. Appliances with this label not only use less power but can also greatly reduce your energy bill.
5. Plant extra veggies - As the gardening season gets underway, consider adding an extra plot of vegetables to provide fresh produce for a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. The garden will be bountiful and others will reap what you sow.
6. Conserve Water - Water tends to be something we take for granted, but it is quickly becoming one of the precious resources of the earth that needs our care and conservation. Be more mindful of unnecessary water use and don't leave the faucet running.
7. Change your light bulbs - One significant place to curb energy use is in the light bulb socket. Compact florescent light bulbs (CPL) are the newest way a small purchase can make a big change. These spiral shaped bulbs may cost more, but they use one-fourth the energy and can be found anywhere light bulbs are sold.
8. Hang a Clothes line - This may sound like a return to the 1950's but using a clothes line instead of your heated dryer can cut back drastically on energy use. Additional benefits include that fresh clothesline scent and a smaller electric bill.
9. Consume less, Share more - Unbridled consumption is part of the dynamic putting an increased demand on the need for energy and fuels. Assess your own buying habits and consumerist tendencies cut back where you can, sharing unused or unneeded items with others. As the saying goes, "Live Simply so Others May Simply Live." Visit the Christian Simple Living website for resources on being a responsible consumer.
10. Support a local farmer - Most of the food we eat travels hundreds and sometimes even thousands of miles to reach our grocery stores and markets. Community supported agricultures (CSA) are local organic farmers from which you could purchase locally grown vegetables and fruits by being part of a local farming cooperative. Do your part to reduce our dependency on oil and fossil fuels and buy locally from a farmer in your region. Visit Local Harvest CSA to find information and the nearest location of a community supported agriculture.
For resources and further information on the official Catholic position with regards to the ecology please visit the Environmental Justice Program (EJP) of the United States Catholic Conference (USCC). EJP "calls Catholics to a deeper respect for God's creation and engages parishes in activities that deal with environmental problems, particularly as they affect the poor." Visit their site for resources on climate change and children's health. |
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 Remain sweetly in the Presence of God and reanimate your faith without forcing head or chest, firmly believing that your dear God is wholly within you, outside you, in your heart, in your soul, in your body, in every place - the heavens and the earth are full of His Divine Majesty. Oh, what a pleasing thing this is! - St. Paul of the Cross |
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| North American Passionist JPIC Office |
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