Daily Reflection Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

  It is not coincidental that today’s Scripture readings coincide with the 20th death anniversary of Notre Dame de Namur Sister Dorothy Stang. Not only did Sister Dorothy understand the beatitudes, especially “Blessed are the peacemakers,” she lived with the people of the Amazon region. A prophet in her own right, she continually worked to protect the land for the farmers from the greedy business people. She gave her life for the people.

 

    Today our first reading from Genesis continues not only the narration about our earth, but also God’s creation of the human person. In our second reading, Mark narrates that Jesus emphasizes how we humans are created from goodness. Yet, how we use our humanity for good or for selfishness is our free choice. Sister Dorothy chose to respect the Amazon people and their land. She was willing to forfeit her life rather than destroy the earth.

 

    Years after Sister Dorothy was martyred for preserving both human life and its environment, Pope Francis wrote the encyclical, Laudato Si. “Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

 

    We were given the gifts of Wisdom and Understanding in Baptism. When we cooperate with God in our lives, we cultivate respect for ourselves. We then open ourselves to understanding and appreciating others: their land and their culture. Mark narrates how Jesus declares that uncleanness has nothing to do with what a person takes into the body, but everything to do with what comes out of the heart. Jesus further elaborates on what happens when through ignorance and selfishness we ignore caring for our own needs and that of others; when we do not treasure our earth nor replenish it: “All these evils come from within and they defile.”

 

    Both Jesus’ words and Sister Dorothy’s death anniversary are a reminder for us to reevaluate our relationship with our land and our people. The Jesuit, Anthony DeMello, told us that “You sanctify whatever you are grateful for.” Today let us spend some time in gratitude for the beauty of our land and those who cultivate and care for it.