By Beth Yeakel, Director
Foundation Services

At long last, summer has arrived. I had the good fortune to travel frequently within our diocese during May and June. To see our beautiful state transition from the dull browns and greys of early spring to the vibrant blues and lush deep greens of summer was a gift. How blessed we are to live in Montana!

Part of who we are as Catholics includes the call to be good stewards of all that God has given to us, including this place we call home. “Global warming,” “carbon footprint,” “sustainable”… how easy it is to become overwhelmed and mired in the politics and arguments concerning the state of our world. Experts contradict each other and blame is assigned to nearly everyone and everything.

Regardless of which theory or belief we accept, we are not absolved of a personal responsibility to be resourceful, thoughtful guardians of the Earth. From the beginning in the Garden of Eden, we are called by God to “take care of it” (Genesis 2:15).

Perhaps it will be the $4-plus per gallon for gasoline that will make us pause to examine how we live. Perhaps it will be escalating food and heating costs. Or perhaps it will be hearing God call each one of us to be a good steward. Regarding the eating of food offered as sacrifice, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive.”

I think this passage can be applied to our stewardship of the earth. Much about what we do and how we live is “permissible”; however, is it beneficial? Is it constructive?

Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in Sacramentum Caritatis that “The world is not something indifferent, raw material to be utilized simply as we see fit. Rather, it is part of God’s good plan, in which we are all called to be sons and daughters in the one Son of God, Jesus Christ (cf. Eph 1:4-12).

The justified concern about the threats to the environment present in so many parts of the world is reinforced by Christian hope, which commits us to working responsibly for the protection of creation. (Part III, 92.)

This summer, resolve to do one thing for the protection of our earthly home. Recycle more. Throw away less. Ride a bike. Walk. Reduce consumption of energy or water. The possibilities are endless; our resources are not.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 7, July 18, 2008.