2nd Sunday before Lent

“God saw everything that he had made and indeed it was very good.” This is the fundamental quality of Earth described in Sunday’s reading from Genesis. God also gave humankind dominion over the Earth. This gift has permitted us to create and produce our own goods. Note that in the Eucharist we bring to the altar, not grapes and grain, but bread and wine; “the work of human hands.”

How we handle this gift of dominion is being increasingly questioned and monitored. The International Energy Agency this week reported that growth of carbon dioxide emissions flatlined in 2019. In the US and Europe they fell but growth in India and China continued. Organisations as diverse as BP and the Church of England have also this week announced targets for becoming Carbon Neutral (BP by 2050 and the Church by 2030).

We should pray for policy makers and leaders of large organisations tasked with adaptation in this recognition that creation is “good.” St Benedict in his Rule writes that all the monastery’s possessions should be handled as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar. Perhaps this is a rule that we should also follow. And when we consider purchasing a good or experience, ask whether God would say: “Indeed this is very good.”

Fr Peter Wolton