Instilling a Sense of Wonder and Responsibility for the Natural World
As Catholics we believe that the earth belongs to the Lord. Acknowledging this truth, we accept that God’s creation and all His creatures on Earth have an inherent value beyond a utility or usefulness for human beings. We are called to respect the integrity of creation: to live in harmony with all of creation, not to exploit what we can for our own self-interest.
How we live on God’s earth cannot be disconnected by how we live in community as social beings. If we are to sustain ourselves in authentic development and community, we must maintain a healthy environment and establish a beneficial economy for all. Social, economic and environmental justice becomes one.
To serve the greater glory of God means to be responsible stewards of creation while serving and caring for one another. To serve the common good of all is to be in harmony with God as co-creators. Just as God sees us as one community, His sons and daughters, we should see the web of life as one — and each of us as caring stewards.
Prayer in Advent
Advent is a time of watching and waiting. We watch, wait and pray for the coming of the Christ Child…
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Learning Gratitude from St. Martin de Tours
The Thanksgiving holiday invites us to reflect on the true meaning of giving thanks. St. Martin de Tours, whose feast…
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Herbicide Controversy: Care for our Common Home Part II
This is Part II of a two part series. Read Part I here. Our perspective at Catholic Rural Life is…
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Herbicide Controversy: Care for our Common Home? Part I
Catholic Rural Life has followed media reports about the growing controversy surrounding the herbicide dicamba. This weedkiller has been around…
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Rest in God: Enjoying and Caring for Creation
In these recent days, I have been taking time for rest and relaxation. For months, people have been encouraging me…
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Yes to the Honey, but I’ll Pass on the Locusts
In our yard there’s a huge fig tree. About eight years ago, one of the Labs chewed the branches down…
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Manna From Heaven, Food From the Ground: A Reflection on My Desert Garden
Though I became a convert to Catholicism as an adult, I enjoyed the blessing of parents who raised me in…
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Renewal of Earth and Life: Easter Reflection
Our forty days of walking in the desert of Lent are at an end. During Holy Week, we arrive at…
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World Water Day 2017
March 22, 2017 is World Water Day, an annual occurrence to raise awareness about water issues and tackle obstacles to…
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Aftermath of Wildfires in the Great Plains
The deadly wildfires that raced through several states in the Great Plains in early March are now fully contained, but…
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