Human Change
Jackie Graham, PBVM
We talk with each other about
Climate Change, the heedless exploitation of the planet's resources,
and global violence which unjustly threatens the most vulnerable of
life forms, human included. I try to think of ways I can make a positive
difference, in agreement with Joanna Macy: "We have to hold our
despair. We have to hold our hope ... and weave them together."
Mostly, I feel quite overwhelmed
at the magnitude of the damage, the injustice, and the truth that we
just can't go on consuming this way. But, we must think globally and
BE part of the "Human Change" in how we inhabit our Earth.
Going back to Thomas Berry,
a voice of wisdom calling us to rethink our role as part of the whole
of Creation, and inspired by Elaine Prevallet's re-articulating faith
in "Making the Shift", I heard this question freshly:
What might it mean for us to understand ourselves as the universe
beginning to be CONSCIOUS OF ITSELF AS THE UNIVERSE, as an interconnected
whole, trying to understand our past so that we can shape our future
appropriately? And how might our faith help us shape that new understanding?
If, in the dulling of
our sense of connectedness to the wonder of all being, our God has become
too small ...
If, in focusing on human
culpability in wasting this amazing planet-home, the reach of our faith
has become shrunken ...
Then NOW is our moment
of grace. It is time to break out of past boxes. I am the "Universe
becoming conscious of itself." Beyond the muddle of my mind's grasp,
in the challenges of climate change and all the frightening possibilities
that come with it, the Spirit of God, sustaining all being, moves among
us. Beyond all human greed and violence that seem so discouraging, the
Word calls us to listen to Truth.
The truth is that, in
the long view of existence, the Creator, with infinite love, is still
creating, and calling us to re-awaken to the wonder of being. Humans
are not in charge, but we are called to live in harmony with all of
God's creation. As in arrogance we have caused harm to Earth, in humility,
we must walk here as a source of healing and renewal.
Truly, human beings can't
"turn off" climate change. But, being capable of cooperation,
justice, and compassion, we have the potential to walk together into
our future ready to adapt to whatever challenges it holds.
Jackie
Graham, PBVM, is active with her Congregation's
Environmental Focus Committee, Sunnyvale Sustainable Gardens, San Jose
Symphonic Choir. She works with autistic children as a sub. Instructional
Assistant, along with doing Creative Activities at a home for Developmentally
Challenged adults. Jackie is compiling a booklet of these activities
for children and adults with special needs.
