Stewardship

Psalm 8:5-7

Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field.

Genesis 1:28

God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

Genesis 1:31a

God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.

Question 436: How should we treat the environment?

We fulfill God’s commission with regard to creation when we care for the earth, with its biological laws, its variety of species, its natural beauty, and its dwindling resources, as a living space and preserve it, so that future generations also can live well on earth.

In the book of Genesis, God says, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Gen 1:28). Having “dominion over the earth” does not mean having an absolute right to dispose arbitrarily of animate and inanimate nature, animals, and plants. Because man is created in God’s image, he should care for God’s creation as a shepherd and steward. For the first book of the Bible also says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Gen 2:15).

Question 256: What contribution can Christians make toward a humane environment?

Christians are not environmentalists if their commitment is limited to moral appeals made to others. It is just as unhelpful to talk constantly about global problems instead of paying close attention to one's own environment and the possibilities present in it. Christian environmental ethics, therefore, is not build on smug appeals. Instead, it tries to provide orientation concerning individual and societal conflicts that need to be resolved. For this purpose, there must be first of all a precise analysis of cause-and-effect connections, risks and prospects. Only then can guiding principles be effective. Christians make a valuable contribution to the preservation of the ecosystem when they care for creation instead of venting frustration over the environment. The courage to hope must be combined with the search for knowledge and the readiness to act.

• Create a bulletin board with the title: “All of creation is a gift from God.” Ask students to bring pictures that remind them of the glory of God’s creation. The pictures can be taken from magazines or from photographs that were taken during family vacations.
• Click here to visit the Development and Peace website for activities supporting awareness and action on the environment.
• Read Pope Francis' Encyclical Laudato Si on care for our common home.

Faithful Caretakers

Lord God, in the beauty and artistry of creation we are reminded of your awesome presence and abiding love for all people. Help us to slow down that we might be aware of and reflect on all that you have placed in our care. May we be enfolded in the wonder of your love and awakened to the responsibility to be your faithful caretakers of the earth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer by Michelle Hoogveld, District Chaplain

If you are interested in preparing a liturgy or staff meeting around this Catholic Social Teaching, please consider these songs:

1. Canticle of the Sun (Marty Haugen)

2. For the Beauty of the Earth (Conrad Kocher)

3. Give Thanks to the Lord (Dan Schutte)

4. Litany for the Earth (Barbara Bridge)

5. We Are Many Parts (Marty Haugen)

All titles are found in Breaking Bread 2019 and are permitted for reprint with One License. Click on the song title to listen to a sample. Songs researched by Andreas Berko, Consultant, Fine and Performing Arts.

Created by Nancy Krar, Secondary ELA Consultant, these posters are intended to create discussion around books and lessons in Catholic Social Teachings. The idea is to print the poster and then create a display of books around the theme or concept. Click the image to the left for other ideas.