Every Living Creature With Us
The Environment
First Sunday in Lent, Year B
OVERVIEW |
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Focus Text: Genesis 9:8-17
God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations.”
“The story of Noah is a favorite for children, but the story raises some troubling adult questions about God and about the relationship between humans and other animals. At first sight, there is an irony in our use of the story to talk about protecting the earth when the story portrays God as destroying the earth.”
“Our culture views Creation as ‘the environment.’ It is separate from us. It is ‘out there,’ ready to be used and abused as we please. This is a severe corruption of our spiritual relationship with Creation, and with God. I resolved personally to reconnect, to live more mindfully and spiritually, and less materialistically. My wife and I began our major life transition. Most of our precious possessions – our ‘stuff’ – went to charity. We went from two cars to one. A home energy audit led to conservation and efficiency. We gave up our careers for a simpler, more earth-friendly lifestyle.”
Key Fact
In 2004, the 2.3 billion residents of low-income nations accounted for 3% of public and private consumption of resources, while the 1 billion residents of industrialized nations accounted for 80% of consumption.
NC Council of Churches
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