We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor, and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:22-25 NRSV
Happy World Environment Day! This is one of the many United Nations initiatives which can be overwhelming in their number. Yet it is important to acknowledge the astonishingly complex and beautiful planet on which we live and ask how we can be part of tending it.
One of the banners for the day says Generation Restoration: We cannot turn back time, but we can grow forests, revive water sources, and bring back soils. We are the generation that can make peace with land. Amen to that!
This morning we got out for a kayak paddle at an absurdly early hour because we knew the day was going to heat up. We chose a stretch of the Salmon River because it is nearby, well aware that it is adjacent to busy Highway 2 and that it passes under the 401, Canada's busiest motorway. There is also a railway trestle over which trains thunder at times.
Despite this, and the disgusting garbage at the launch site the diversity of creatures was enchanting. There were many blue herons and turtles and one snake. The blue flag (wild irises) were strutting their stuff and dragonflies were everywhere. The last time on the same stretch we encountered a family of otters and a muskrat. The resilience of the natural world --Creation -- is astonishing, although we humans seem determined to continue our assault on the web of living things which sustains us.
On our drive home, before 9AM, the temperature was 25C, disturblingly unnatural for this part of Canada at this time of year. Even though we had declared ourselves old and grumpy before we set out (we had a bigger excursion yesterday) our spirits were lifted.
We do need to make peace with the land, with the world our Creator God brought into being. Later today the Roman Catholics will launch their guide for the Fall Season of Creation/ Creation Time with the theme “To hope and act with Creation”.The verses from Romans (above) support that theme. I appreciate their ongoing commitment to Creation care and celebration.
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