Denying the Obvious

"His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes." Jn 9:2-21

Sometimes, even with the truth staring us in the face, we fail to speak out. That is what the parents of the man born blind are doing in today's Gospel. In a similar way, Pope Francis has asked us to look at what is happening to our Mother Earth and to act together for the good of all. Hurricanes and typhoons are stronger because of warming ocean temperatures and there is no doubt that the last six years have been the warmest on record. Still, some resist the evidence of global warming. Not unlike the parents of the man born blind, too many of us are afraid to speak the truth because we fear those in power or because the challenge to face our greed is too demanding.

A one year old child in the United States has a larger carbon footprint than an adult in Tanzania. How difficult it is to accept our guilt in this regard. Those of us who live in the U.S. sometimes act like the world and its goods belong to us because we have the most money and property, but Deuteronomy 10:12 teaches “To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” While the human family is often called to steward God's lands, they do not belong to us and must be shared justly with all, especially those in need. When we abuse the gifts of creation we cheat the poor especially of the most basic necessities.

Today, don't be blind to the harm we are doing to the earth.

Who helped you appreciate creation and all its gifts?