Patriarch Bartholomew
11th Sunday of the year
Jesus was somebody totally tuned in to the world about him, his perception of nature is acute and he often uses his insights in parables like the comparison of the Kingdom with the mustard seed that grows from a small plant to a tree hosting birds that rest and nest. It is obvious that he loves the natural world and has a care for it, something that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been urging us to do for a very long time, that is take care of the environment, of living things and world. Pope Francis is just about to issue his encyclical 'Laudato si' that will commit us to action on these issues.
I've long admired Patriarch Bartholomew's deep commitment and concern for the environment he's called the 'Green Patriarch' because of his work especially drawing attention to the destruction human being are capable of and the mess we leave all over our planet. It is good that the Pope is linking with him because this is an issue that affects all of our futures.
I've just finished a book on perspectives on the environment for the point of view of Eastern Christianity because that tradition has a number of very good things to teach us about respect and reverence for all creation, even the least of living things! It's taken me a long time to get it finished, but I feel that it has made me reconnect with my place, my role as one simple human in a world of great wonder, but also one of damage and pain often caused alas by humans.
Ezekiel reminds us that we are not the arbiter of our planets destiny nor are we ultimately in charge of living beings or our natural world, which belongs to the One who created and sustains life. This God not only deals with humans but all life, I love the way the prophet has that image of the Lord somehow communicating with the trees:
"And all the trees of the field shall know
that I, the LORD,
bring low the high tree,
lift high the lowly tree" - it is a wonderful way of bringing us right down from our pedestals and placing us alongside everything else!
Jesus however reminds us we can change. Paul's lovely words to the Corinthians give us that spark of hope, for even now all is not lost, we can make a better world for those after us. Why? Because we walk by faith, trusting in the Lord.
Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Great Britain. |
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