Protecting Creation in Holy Week

 

                                                        Costa Rica National Parks 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.

                               John 3:16-17 NRSVue 

The Central American nation of Costa Rica has a positive reputation for environmental protection and has tied this to a robust eco-tourism industry. Many years ago my late mother took family there, including grandchildren, and one of the highlights was a tour of a river national park, complete with crocodiles along the shore and a boa constrictor in a tree. 

I read recently that authorities will launch a nationwide operation of patrols and surveillance involving hundreds of  personnel to prevent poaching and the illegal trade in animal and plants species. They will be present in national parks but also set up roadblocks to check vehicles.

What caught my attention is that this will take place from March 28 to April 5 and authorities describe this as a Holy Week operation. I've never heard of an environmental protection blitz tied to a religious season but this one will commence this Saturday, just before Palm Sunday and end on Easter Sunday. 

While this may just seem quirky it got me thinking about the themes of Holy Week leading to Jesus' crucifixion. We reflect on how Jesus was treated unjustly and humiliated before his execution. Some Christian theologians write about the ways in which we crucify Creation and that Jesus' death and resurrection are for the salvation of all creatures, not just humans. 

A couple of decades ago this was condemned as heresy but as we are increasingly aware of the destruction of habitat, the reduction of biodiversity, and the effects of climate change there is a greater willingness to connect Creation and Incarnation as we we consider what it means to be "saved", even amongst some more conservative writers. Rather than being apostasy, we are opening our eyes to the broader picture of salvation -- for God so loved the world.

I've shared the painting above before by the late Indigenous Blake Debassige. It is in the chapel of the Anishnabe Spiriitual Centre on the way to Manitoulin Island. As you can see, Christ is crucified on a tree wth creature on the branches. It is a powerful image. 

I don't know why Costa Rica decided on Holy Weeks as the period for this operation to protect the environment but it is cause for pause.