One would have thought that we learned our lesson from Hurricanes Sandy and Ida that rather than tearing up Breton Woods, a 31-acre piece of pristine woods to build 59 units that will create serious flooding problems. The owner, the Roman Catholic diocese of Trenton, has signed a contract to sell the property to D.R. Horton, a large New Jersey construction company. Community leaders and environmentalists oppose the project.
Even the Brick Township planner is concerned about storm water management. The Church did not follow up with the State’s Green Acres program but signed a contract with Horton for the land, also rejecting efforts to meet with township officials to preserve the space. Nothing like a lack of creation care. Money must rule.
The question is, of course, whether there is any way to save this land from the kind of development that has caused so many flooding problems. Who can forget that iconic image of the house floating in Barnegat Bay? But why should Horton care? The company will make its money. What was it Jesus said about moth and rust? Where is the soul of the Church in this matter?
Prayer for the Day
The earlier sunrises open our eyes to your light, O God,
Helping us to look through the windows of your majesty;
Open our senses to the world around us.
So we work to protect your creation, not destroy it.
Move us beyond our preoccupation with profit
. Remembering that moth and rust destroy it.
In the name of him who came to show us the way,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold or silver.
- Martin Luther, German theologian of the Reformation (1483-1546)
Until you dig a hole, plant a tree, water it, and make it survive, you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking.
- Wangari Maathai, Kenyan social & environmental activist (1940-2011)
I will put the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia and the myrtle and the olive tree;
I will place the juniper in the desert together with the box tree and the cypress,
That they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the Lord has done this and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isaiah 41: 19-20