The third in series of blog posts for Lent from Sr. Madeleine Gregg, fcJ
The Ecospiritual perspective shifts our Lenten focus for conversion from a self-focus to an outward focus, an ecological focus, in which we widen our gaze to consider ourselves as just one part of the much larger cosmos. There are many, many ways this shift can be facilitated. But for those of us just starting to take Pope Francis’ invitation to ecological conversion seriously, I offer here a description of a simple, four-part dynamic that might be a stepping stone.
Essentially, the dynamic of the Ecospiritual perspective on Lent goes like this: first, we actively cultivate awareness of how others are suffering. This leads us to deeper and deeper compassion and to sharing our responses and reactions with God in prayer. Then, it dawns on us that we need to face our personal sinfulness, that is, how our choices have contributed to the suffering of others. Often, this is a matter of considering what we have failed to do, even more than what we have actively done. These insights, too, lead us to prayer. Our growing awareness of our complicity in creating and accepting a world in which there is so much unjust suffering, in turn, pushes us to seek forgiveness, to mend broken relationships and — in brief— to change the priorities which guide how we make choices in our lives, always under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This is the moment of ecological conversion. And finally, we are moved to action. We join wonderful initiatives to alleviate or prevent suffering.
What might these stepping stones look like, in your life, in actual practice? How do we keep ourselves open to the suffering happening around the world? How do we keep ourselves from becoming numb in the face of so many types of suffering, in so many places? How do we cultivate compassion? Do we actually know any immigrant or refugee families? Do we have any poor people as friends?
Do we ever spend time considering how the priorities of our culture, such as convenience, efficiency, personal comfort, variety of available fresh produce, competition, just to name a few, actually create conditions of suffering for other people, devasted landscapes, and degraded ecosystems? When have we turned away from supporting charities and not-for-profit groups who are trying to address injustices that lead to human and other-than-human suffering?
Are we involved with food banks that promote food security or after school programs that offer safety and enrichment in children’s lives? Do we join groups that prevent suffering by building community networks, such as the various groups that meet monthly for Story-telling, quilting, community choir, knitting or folk dancing, as a few examples? Do we join, or start, groups that take on the task of repairing and restoring wetlands, watersheds, prairies, seashores, coral reefs, and other ecosystems? Planet Wild and Mossy Earth are wonderful groups that offer low-cost memberships in wilding and re-wilding projects and a great variety of eco-restoration projects in different parts of the planet, and post marvelous YouTube videos to report on their work. There are hundreds of local groups, all needing helping hands and hearts.
Lent, for those who are trying to embrace ecological conversion, is a privileged time of choosing new eco spiritual practices to try out for 40 days, and perhaps incorporate into our lives permanently. The internet abounds with suggestions, from eliminating single-use plastics to composting, to eating more plant-based meals, to adopting frugal ways of using water, electricity, paper, and other resources. Adding to the “reduce, re-use, recycle” mantra are some other important “RE” words: REPAIR what’s broken, rather than discard and buy new; RESTORE, REFINISH, and REUPHOLSTER shabby furniture, again with an eye to lessening the amount of stuff we send to the dump; and what is perhaps the most important of all: REFUSE. Advertisements for cheap goods are everywhere on the internet….ask: Do I actually NEED this latest improved gizmo for the kitchen, bath, car, whatever?
As with any conversion, the journey of ecological conversion is life-long. It aims to open us to receive more of God’s grace through an intentional choice of welcoming particular values and practices and rejecting others. At the same time, it bears witness to people around us that God’s presence, power, and call in our lives is real and it invites them to make a similar journey in their own lives.
