The Season of Creation runs Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 and is an ecumenical celebration of the gift of our earth. It is also a time to reflect, pray and take action to care for our common home. Our Catholic social teaching calls us to respond to the urgent cry of the earth and the poor who are gravely affected by climate change.
This year’s theme, “Hope and Act with Creation,” invites us to spend time reflecting on how we — as individuals and communities — can care for the earth.
The earth in all its beauty and wonder is not an unlimited resource. It requires appreciation that leads to gratitude to God for all that is available to us for sustenance and enjoyment. We are also responsible for the protection and careful stewardship of all the Creator has given to sustain the one human family.
As I write this, I’m in Alaska enjoying the vastness of this part of God’s creation. Just one example of why it is important for us to wisely and judiciously recognize the need for moderate consumption of the bounty of creation is the story of the king salmon in Alaska.
During my time as archbishop of Anchorage, I listened to many stories of the size and number of king salmon that were caught by previous generations. I saw pictures of individuals and groups who harvested numerous king salmon in one outing. In years past, it was common to catch king salmon weighing between 50 and 70 pounds apiece. Those days are gone, and perhaps will never return, because the “big fish” were harvested without mercy, and those genetics seem to have been lost.
This is further complicated by the practices of the fishing industry as well as the volume of sport fishermen and women who invade Alaska in the summer months when the salmon return to the vast river systems of the state. A good friend of mine laments that the Kenai River is being “fished to death.”
Granted, these are only a few of the reasons why large king salmon may never be seen again in the rivers of Alaska. Biologists are also concerned about the health of the oceans, suffering from overfishing and pollution, where these beautiful fish live until their biological clock tells them to return to the waters where they were born to complete the cycle of life.
One must wonder about the past 50 years, as more and more people came to Alaska and tried to tame this vast world. While these people helped build the infrastructure and economies that support the populations of today, they — and those who followed — enjoyed the bounty of the many resources that at the time seemed limitless. Think of what could still be enjoyed today had there been more thought to taking only what was needed and sustaining what was present. What can we (must we) learn from this one example about how to live today?
This month, we are called to prayerfully reflect upon all of our patterns of consumption. Are we taking care of the vast creation we call home? Are we walking humbly through this world, taking only what is necessary, with an eye to the next generation? Are we willing to admit the harm done to creation over the past 100 years, and are we willing to think and act in terms of handing something better to the next generation than we inherited?
The resources of creation are limited, and our use of the goods of the earth must be viewed with the whole human family in mind.
The theme of this year’s Season of Creation is “To Hope and Act with Creation.” The Psalms tells: “The Lord is King of all creation.” Turning to the Lord of all is our starting point, as the Creator is our source of unity. This Season of Creation is another opportunity to recognize how everything is connected. We are one in the depths of our being with God, with each other and with all of creation. Our deepest fulfillment is found in living according to this mysterious truth. When we do not experience this peace, it is one strong indicator that “something is off,” and we must commit ourselves to a healthy way of life.
We can add many stories to the one about the demise of the king salmon. Each such story is an indicator of how creation is “sick,” and we must be attentive to this cry. In the next month, perhaps we can spend time outdoors in nature and let ourselves be moved to rediscover its wonder.
At the same time, let the Lord move us to recognize where we are each being called to personal conversion in our relationship with God, with the human family and with creation. Then, pray about what we can personally do to show concretely our compassion for healing some part of God’s creation.