March 24. “This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord, their God, and did not accept discipline, Stephen, a lawyer said,  “It is difficult to legislate for the common good and for things like ecological conversion. It has been very interesting to see how much money and energy has gone into fighting the Covid-19 virus and maybe even more into fighting the war in Ukraine which is raging now. At the same time climate change has gone way down on the public agenda even though it is just as urgent and serious in the long term.  Of course it is less clearly identifiable, but shouldn’t be. We have all seen how this last year has seen major climate catastrophes even closer to home “    Joyce added, “Even though activists and the popes too have spoken about it for many years as part of Catholic Social Teaching, it has not become a mainstream issue there either.  Who knows or has studied Laudato Si? How many people have measured their carbon footprint?. Often, too, it is a humanitarian or human good that cannot be enforced but should be promoted.  Pope Francis’s Fratelli Tutti, calls on all people, beyond Catholic believers.  We humans are the element of creation that can make decisions   We cannot expect the animal kingdom or the plant kingdom to do that.” 

Reflect, share and act. Scripture: You shall call to them but they will not answer you. And you shall say to them, “This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord, their God, and did not accept discipline, truth has perished, it is cut off from their lips. Jer. 7:23-28.  Pope Francis:   A journey of peace is possible between religions. Its point of departure must be God’s way of seeing things. God’s love is the same for everyone, regardless of religion. It follows that we believers need to find occasions to speak with one another and to act together for the common good and the poor.  This has nothing to do with watering down or concealing our deepest convictions. FT 281-2.   SA Youth Responsibilities Bill 12.  My responsibility in ensuring the right to live in a safe environment is to protect animal and plant-life, as well as the responsibility to prevent pollution, not to litter and ensure that our homes, schools, streets and public places are kept neat and tidy.  Choose an act of love and sacrifice from the list, also published at www.marfam.org.za/lent