‘Today, however, we have to realise that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ – Laudato si’ 49
Our challenge for the Season of Creation 2021 is to truly listen to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. This is a call from Pope Francis, but also, here in Australia, the call of the Australian Bishops as we unpack the 2021/2022 Social Justice Statement.
Can we build deep listening into our ecological practice over the Season of Creation (1 September – 4 October).
Our challenge as we build our faith in action is to accompany those who are crying out. Where are the cries of the earth and the poor for you as we begin the Season of Creation? And what does authentic listening look like?
The spiritual exercises give us the tools needed to deeply listen, as we listen to the sounds of creation we can gradually tune in to God’s voice. To truly see the wonder and awe in all creation. Can you spend some time each day listening to sister, mother earth? As we build our spiritual strengths in listening, we are called to not just listen but to hear the cries.
For many listening to the cries of those affected by COVID-19 in our own communities and across the globe, we are listening and want #endcovid4all.
LISTEN TO YOUTH LEADERS
I have set myself the challenge to listen to our Ecojesuit climate youth leaders. One youth leader inspired me to find a way to share her story, a very simple zoom interview can be found here https://youtu.be/PsjY_4A8m88.
Novita Tongo lives in Bandasari, Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, Indonesia. For Novita the global north through industries such as extraction and palm oil plantations has seen her natural environment altered, so much so that the rivers dried up in the dry season and locally the rainforest has been replaced by palm oil monocultures. Novita is grieving. But we are listening. Sr Ana Pina, who is part of the Ecojesuit network, has started Girls Moving Indo encouraging leadership by Novita, and with the bamboo project they have started. Novita shares ‘Nature has put in all its strength to heal me. Today Nature is suffering. It’s a sign for me to do something. It’s a call for me to go ‘Home’, to heal one of Its wounded parts. Now. Here. In my hometown. Borneo.’
For me Novita is truly inspirational.
ACTION IDEAS
Your challenge maybe just to listen to creation in your backyard, your local park. You may be close to a landscape scarred after the bushfires or floods, what are the cries you can hear? How could you respond?
For many, the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has us grieving.
During the 2021 Season of Creation, thousands of Christians will get together for a time of restoration and hope, a jubilee for our Earth, and to discover radically new ways of living with creation.
More than ever before, we will unite to pray and take action for our common home. This Season of Creation can you deeply listen to the cry of the earth, and the cry of the poor and #act4ourcommonhome?
Why not take some time each day to read, reflect and listen? Or post your ‘Eco-actions’ to the Catholic Earthcare Facebook page.
Further suggested reading: Laudato si’ (of course!), the Social Justice Statement and the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
Further suggestion practices: Sit spot, Walking in nature or Befriending a tree.
Sue Martin divides her time between Being with God in Nature ministry coordinator and Catholic Earthcare coordinator.