Yes, today is Earth Day, and tomorrow all kinds of groups will do all kinds of projects. Many of those projects will be small ones, the silent ones, and some will be large ones sponsored by environmental organizations. Today the President will sign an executive order aimed at protecting old growth forests.
So, what’s an old growth forest and where are they? They are made up of trees that are naturally regenerated. Many of them are being cleared in many countries for beef or palm oil production. They are also less prone to megafires; they store carbon. Sort of God’s way to make up for our neglect.
So what to do on this Earth Day weekend? After taking that walk to remind you of God’s creation, email your member of Congress or Senator to support legislation to reduce carbon and enhance green energy. It only takes a few minutes, and the Earth will be better for your simple action.
Prayer for the Day
Awakening to the sun creeping over the hills this morning,
We wait for the sounds of birds calling out to each other;
Embracing the fresh air of spring with all its fragrances,
We wonder if the flowers are as silent as they seem.
Breathe into us, Wondrous Creator, your spirit of life
Nurturing us with your love and care.
In the name of the One who cares for all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.
- Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk and writer (1926-2022)
The forest sings God’s praises – the long exhaustion of the earth waking from winter sings God’s praises, and the mosses hear, and the trees with their miraculous white leaves like angel wings, hey hear, and add their voices, the pines whisper it, and the trailing arbutus carries it all over the ground, so that all the forest knows …
- Bonita Fogg Smith, “Prayer based on Psalm 19)
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard,
Yet their voice does out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
Psalm 19:1-3