Praise the Lord, my soul.Lord my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens like a tent
and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.
He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.
He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.
You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains...
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number—
living things both large and small.
Psalm 104:1-6, 24-25
Yesterday and again today there has been a special United Nations General session to address the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the humanitarian crisis which has ensued. More than 100 countries have asked to speak and the condemnation of Russia has been withering. Around the world nations have taken unprecedented steps to sanction Russia, even though there will be economic and diplomatic repercussions for those countries.
Because this terrible situation is of such concern many will have missed the release of an extensive report on the state of the planet by a United Nations agency called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is being described as the most dire yet regarding the decline and even collapse of ecosystems and the effects of the climate emergency. Storms are becoming more severe, wildfires are huge and often uncontrollable, and sea levels are rising. It could be argued that the projections by climate scientists over the past four decades are wrong, only in that the speed at which the planet is becoming hotter and unstable is faster than anticipated. It's all rather grim.
Why is it that we can mobilize in a concerted effort to protect the national home of Ukraine, an impressive response, yet we seem paralysed when it comes to addressing the existential threat to the planetary home of every living creature, including 7 billion humans? Climate chaos threatens Ukraines and Russians alike, and every single inhabitant of all nations which will be speaking during the current special session taking place now in New York.
In this morning's third and final session of our Trenton United study group How to be a Christian and Still Read the Bible we will be considering how we have sometimes read scripture to justify our pillaging of Creation and the importance of considering God's Noahic covenant with humans and other creatures, along with the radical notions of Sabbath and Jubilee. I'll share with the group the marvelous introduction to Psalm 104 which reminds us that all of Creation was brought into being by the Creator and can be celebrated and respected.
God, open our eyes and ears.
2 comments:
The problem with tackling the climate crisis has always been denial. There are too many leaders who argue with the facts presented by scientists(hello Trump) and cause some people to question whether the threat is real or not. What do you see when you look at a lake? The water looks clear, the air is fresh, and you think all is good in the world. It is not.
Obviously watching what is happening in the Ukraine is "in your face" and undeniable. But then again, some lunatics(hello Trump) praise the evil creature who has the blood of hundreds on his hands.
I am so worried that Trump or any of his nutty family members will run again next year in the lead up to the election.
Time to stick my head in the snow and hope it all goes away.
It appears that Trump's appeal to the Republican oligarchy is waning, but a return to power fy the party wold still be am environmental disaster. I discourage you from sticking your head in the snow, Roger, particularly the yellow stuff.
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