We hear it on the news, we read it on our emails and everybody seems to be talking about our environment and how it is becoming more and more polluted. We recently recognized Earth Day but one day is not enough; we must keep its importance every day. Jesus gave us this beautiful place to live but it is up to us to keep it even more beautiful then we found it. There is a lot to learn from our Indigenous ancestors who have inhabited the Earth for thousands or years. They had to figure out what they needed to do in order to survive. Many of their values can help us to reconnect with our precious Earth and each other. Here is a sampling of their values:
- Respect everyone and everything.
- Seek Harmony and Cooperation with people and nature.
- Increase your number of close friends and the depth of family relations.
- Make Humor a part of every day. Laugh at yourself, as well.
- Allow everyone to express themselves without judgment.
- Speak from your heart.
- Learn from the past. Live presently by looking back but moving forward.
- Balance work and rest. Work hard and rest well.
- Be generous, share what you have with others.
- We are all related and interconnected and accountable for our behavior.
Together we can make a difference. Jesus wants us to do this as a faithful community.