Creation Groans

Deacon’s Corner

Creation Groans

Summary: Our small actions matter.

Even if you’re not paying attention, it’s hard to miss the signals nature has been sending us lately. The earth is not okay and since it is our only home, we need to not only be worried about this, but doing something about it.

Right now there is a giant blanket of Carbon Dioxide covering the earth and making us too warm. It would be nice if we could just kick off the blanket, roll over, and go back to sleep, but it’s not that simple. The only way we can reduce the weight of this blanket is to reduce the Co2 emissions we are producing.

The good news, is that what we are doing is working. California has reduced its Carbon output by 55% over the last twenty years. Replacing oil with wind and solar, replacing gas guzzling cars with electric; all of this is working. If you live in Sacramento county, you may complain about separating your compost each week, but it is helping. Methane output from landfills is declining.

All of this is great, but we need more, and we need it fast. Unfortunately, our nation’s government seems to be working against this right now in the name of short term profits. I pray that God will give us the will to face this and fix it rather than turning over as a country and going to sleep. We owe it to our grandchildren and their children to change our ways.

Here is a prayer from the Anglican Church of Australia that expresses it well.

Climate Change Prayer

Holy God, earth and air and water are your creation, and every living thing belongs to you: have mercy on us as climate change confronts us.

Give us the will and the courage to simplify the way we live, to reduce the energy we use, to share the resources you provide, and to bear the cost of change.

Forgive our past mistakes and send us your Spirit, with wisdom in present controversies and vision for the future to which you call us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

©The Anglican Church of Australia

Deacon Joanie

Rev. Dcn. Joanie Cahill

Deacon

St. Augustine of Canterbury