A change, towards nature…

When as a kid in Grade 2, tree planting (now tree growing) was a mandatory activity in school for all grades thereafter to help the reforestation program of our government (mountains denuded, rivers turning dry or brown from mining, etc). Planting coconut, coffee and fruit trees back home with our industrious grandfather was a beautiful and fun memory of staying in my hometown. We had fruits to eat for free and infact, to our heart’s delight! We were trained too, how to grow pineapples, bananas, veggies during summertime and even sowing rice – cleaning it up around in pure muddy paddies! That, today’s children will also love to care for nature where food comes from, where toil and caring goes naturally, for what supports and gives life!

Reading Laudato Si all over again, well, not as a mandated reading, but as a source to learn the art of caring, as an inspiration. The beautiful encyclical contain sharings of the Popes’ experiences, of dreams and of motivation to many in starting up that care for creation. Indeed, since many years ago, various movements were created for ecological care – concerned groups and organization as well as inspired by the Papal call (Francis and Benedict and that of Patriarch Bartholomew). The beautiful words of the Holy Fathers, to care and to nurture, not as mere consumers but to share because creation is a gift, not just because it was given to us, but because as a gift, it carries a value deserves respect for it was given for the life and well-being of humanity.

By the way, why do we care and are anxious about things while others don’t?

Understanding that commercialism makes it easy but doesn’t teach us the value of caring for nature is the key for this advocacy. It goes even to honor farmers, considering the growers’ ordeal and routines, their patience and sacrifice to grow crops, all items we buy from supermarkets.

As Dominicans, we participate in clean up drives for rivers and coastlines, participate in activities to grow trees in watersheds as they are sources of life. We invite and gather groups to learn the art of organic farming. It is rewarding to practice such amidst the challenges around commercial centers where fast food thrives. Yet, nurturing crops to offer fresh foods and healthy veggies to families is rewarding and fulfilling.Together, though from simple steps, we make a difference.  help provide amount of potable greens for food of both humans and animals. Thus, manifesting collaborative concern as a continuity of the bounty of God in all of creation.

Let us count ourselves in for this “to care and to nurture” that others may see in the years ahead such beauty and bounty of God’s wonderful cration. That, they too, may inherit the land as Exodus 3:17 puts it: “ And I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into the land of Canaanites, Hittities, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites – a land flowing with milk and honey”.

Autor: Nini