Reverencing & Restoration: Caring for Earth

FOURTH SUNDAY

INTRODUCTION

In a collaborative effort with the staff of the Catholic Institute of Education in South Africa, we offer this resource as a compliment to the inserts prepared on the theme of Caring for Creation and Catholic Social Justice values.

This reflection guide contains separate reflections on the scripture readings for each of the five Sundays of Lent. Each reflection includes questions for reflection or discussion. The reflections focus on the issue of environmental justice. We are in a critical moment as the human family on planet Earth, and we need to reflect on how we relate in thought, word and deed to the Creation of which we are an integral part. We need a change of heart in order to realize deeply that "the fundamental relation between humanity and nature is one of caring for creation."1 That this is a key perspective of Christian faith is pointed out by Pope John Paul II: "Christians, in particular, realize that their responsibility within creation and their duty towards nature and the Creator are an essential part of their faith." 2

A printable PDF document of each week's reflection is available for download.

March 13, 2005 - Ezekiel 37: 12-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:8-11, John 11: 1-45

Ezekiel informs us that the Lord God will transform our present lives and renew our hearts and minds. He will give us a new heart and a new spirit so that we can know him better, and believe in him more deeply. This is because, as the second reading stresses, 'people who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God'. Nor will such people find God pleasing, and open themselves to the new heart and new spirit which he promises. We need to die with Lazarus, and be born anew by the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can truly be incorporated into Christ.

In the gospel Lazarus becomes a key symbol of the power and meaning of Christ as the Resurrection and the Life. The people who gathered in Bethany to comfort Martha and Mary are like any normal community when death has affected one of their members. They come together to mourn and, at the same time, to celebrate the life of the deceased. It is during such a time that our faith is most sorely tested. Mary and Martha believed that their brother would have not died if Jesus had been around. They stood firm in the belief that the death of their brother has happened for a purpose known to God. When Lazarus came out from the tomb, many who did not believe in Jesus found faith in him. The whole community had a new experience of Jesus, seeing him with the eyes of faith.

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a time for us to become reconciled with God. If our faith is tested let us invite, in prayer, the one who raised Lazarus from the tomb to give us strength and courage to continue being effective witnesses wherever we are.

• Look at the environment. As the seasons come and go, the vegetation experiences significant changes - life, death, rebirth. Why are these changes important to plants?
• Are these changes a nuisance to us, so that we devise means to short circuit nature's cycle and produce every kind of fruit in and out of season? Is this a sign of greed - or intemperance? What will such an attitude produce in us in the long term?
• When we suffer drought, extreme heat or cold, floods or other natural disasters, how might the symbol of Lazarus become a source of strength to endure?
• Have you experienced death in your family? How were you helped by your community to cope with the situation? Did you experience personal growth during the period of mourning?
  

1 US Catholic Bishops.1991. Renewing the Earth
2John Paul II.1990. Peace With God The Creator, Peace With All Of Creation: Message for the World Day of Peace.

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Last updated March 1, 2005
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