There is a well-known scripture verse, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” that’s the King James Version. The more reader-friendly version from The Message says, “God claims the earth and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Today is EARTH DAY and we are invited to celebrate everything to do with our marvellous planet and to be reminded to take better care of it.
Earth Day started in 1970. The idea for a day to honour the earth was introduced in 1969 at a UNESCO conference in San Francisco. It began as an American event but went global in 1990 and is now celebrated in 192 countries. Environmental groups have sought to make Earth Day into a day of action which changes human behavior and provokes policy changes.
The story of faith, as recorded in The Bible, begins with the creation of the earth. The words “In the beginning…” initiate the unfolding of the universe with the mystical creativity of God. Caring for creation is a calling and a responsibility for people of faith. The United Church creed that begins with the words, “We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating.” This creed was written in 1968. It did not include words that now appear in about the middle of the creed. The words, “To live with respect in creation” were added sometime in the 90’s, I think. They came as we developed a growing awareness of the importance of stewardship and that stewardship was “living with respect” not having “dominion over”.
Caring for creation and stewardship of the earth is a belief held in all the major religions. So on this Earth Day what are you doing to love our planet?
