Every month as Environment Month (a reflection)

HOW I wish every month is environment month! This thought crossed my mind so instantly when Sr. Marietta invited me to share over the radio and for DC Herald. I am brought back to the story of Genesis, of how creation was made…the hovering Spirit over the chaos, the disorder…then creation began which God always considers as good. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Chapter 10: “Safeguarding the Environment” reminds us that, “The Lord entrusted all of creation to human beings’ responsibility, charging them for its harmony and development.”

We, as human beings were called to take care of the wonderful, magnificent work of God: Creation. It is our moral duty to maintain its harmony and development. The dominion God has called us to exercise is a dominion of care and love, not of destruction and accumulation.

We are now experiencing the disharmony in creation brought about by the greed and selfishness of a few individuals who want to have more money to store more riches. The effect of global warming and climate change is greatly felt, especially by those who depend on the land and the sea for their daily needs. Farmers cannot really farm since there is not enough water. Fisher-folks cannot catch enough fish because of the effects of illegal fishing and pollution which cause the small fishes to die.

Have we still eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel? St. Benedict reminds us to always “listen with the ear of our hearts”. We need to pray more and act more as real children of God willing to defend and protect what God has given us as our inheritance—the only earth we know of. The earth will remain and live even without human beings but we as human beings can never survive without the earth. Let us return our relationship with the earth, with the environment. We are part of Creation…let us feel GOD’S SPIRIT alive in us and of all creation. Make every day an Environment Day! “That in all things God may be glorified” (Sr. Evangeline A. Madayag, OSB)