Care for creation

We have been forewarned decades ago, by scientists, that human activities have been contributing to the acceleration of the warming of the planet. What was supposed to be a slow-motion warming-up of the earth as we are coming from an ice age, now has turned into an emergency in epic proportions. Heat waves devastate more crops and forests with ever greater frequency. Droughts stalk the once-productive lands watered by rivers, while excess rainfall in other parts of the world threaten the once-predictable seasons, thus both have been impacting on the world’s food production.

Already today, the world’s biggest producer of rice, India, informed everyone that because of the weak monsoon rains, the country will not export rice as it prioritizes its domestic needs, and so goes for India’s sugar crop.

On the local scene, we remain to be the biggest importer of Asia’s number one staple – rice. And prices of this commodity have been moving up in parallel to the prices of crude oil. The list goes on.

We all have learned early on from our parents, kindergarten schools, and Sunday homilies about God’s benevolent, creative action from the beginning of life. The world is God’s gift, and every gift has a responsibility. He commanded us to manage His creation for the benefit of every generation, not just the present generation. Life is precious. We are also taught to care for nature in little ways, and cumulatively, this creates a global impact.

Let us pray that all nations will continue to treasure nature for the benefit of all, making it as an offering to God, that we tap its potential in sustainable ways with the help of responsible use of technology and the involvement of good-hearted people. Our Blessed Mother, certainly only wants the best for her children.