You heard the story
of a young Albert Schweitzer. Did you
know that later in his life he coined the term “reverence for life” and used
that concept as a foundation for how he chose to live in the world? Schweitzer wrote: “…Reverence for life
contains within itself the rationale of the commandment to love, and it calls
for compassion for all … life.” He goes
on: “I must interpret the life [around] me as I interpret the life that is my
own. My life is full of meaning to
me. The life around me must be full of
significance to itself. If I am to
expect others to respect my life, then I must respect the other life I see,
however strange it may be to mine. And
not only other human life, but all kinds of life: life above mine, if there be
such a life; life below mine, as I know it to exist…We need a boundless ethics
which will include [all living things].”
His view of “reverence for life” led Schweitzer to believe that to cut a
flower needlessly was a violation of this fundamental ethical principle. The flower, he believed, has the same right
that we have to fulfill its natural life cycle.
He let it grow wherever it was, not to adorn his home, but to fulfill
its potential. This view of “reverence
for life” also led Schweitzer to write about and eventually to suggest to
President Kennedy that there should be an international agreement to stop
proliferation of nuclear weapons through international inspection. His work eventually led to a nonproliferation
treaty with Russia.
Schweitzer also wrote: “Reverence for life
means being seized by the unfathomable, forward-moving will which is inherent
in all Being. It raises us above the
perception of the world of objects—[for our use]-- and makes us into the
tree—[among other trees, interconnected by our roots and branches]-- that is
safe from drought because it is planted by the water.” I think that's an interesting image and has
the potential to be a deeply effective passage to reflect on as a personal
meditation. We might also imagine
ourselves as a humming bird flitting before a trumpet creeper, drinking in the
rich nectar from the bright red flowers.
Such a reverence for life connects us with something ineffable and
sustainable. This holy connection to all life is intangible, yet even so it can
tangibly affect our behavior by making us stop and affirm with reverence each
form of life as we come into contact with it, as we choose to we bring it
somehow into our lives. This reverence
offers us an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of other forms of life
for our sustenance.
Whether you affirm a more humanist view the
natural life cycle or a sense of a holy “reverence for life”, how we treat each
other and all other life, including mother earth, is something we, as Unitarian
Universalists, are called to reflect on.
As Unitarian Universalists we can celebrate the beauty and wonder of
life on this Earth Day, but we can, should, affirm that we resist through our
thoughts, words and deeds treating any form of life, including this planet, as
object simply existing for our use.
It is easy to treat our food just as an
object to be consumed. What changes in
our thoughts, words and deeds when we experience food as once-living organisms
that had to give up their lives for our sustenance, for our existence? What changes when we reflect on how the
production of food impacts the climate?
What changes when we hear how the trash that we have put in the recycle
bin, is being buried in trash heaps, not actually recycled? Which by the way is what I have learned from
Steve Synder, our Sexton, when he was talking about our recycling to the
company that picks up our trash.
Perhaps Earth Day could be a time of
resistance looks like not giving into the societal pressure—on TV and social
media, in grocery stores or from our peers—to ignore how our food comes to us
or how we deal with our trash. Maybe
resistance is taking a look at our attitudes about other living things, whether
we think their values higher or lower than our own value. When I heard that the Florida Senate gave
final approval to a bill that would prohibit investment strategies that Gov.
Ron DeSantis has deemed “woke,” sending the issue to his desk—in other words
investment is just for economic gain without consideration of its impact on
people and other living things or this planet—I got angry. I will resist this law. I can’t just be complacent because I know the
UUA invests my retirement fund in ethical ways, I want to intentionally invest
in ways that will reflect my values and my reverence for the planet. I will back up my word with my action. Maybe that’s not an option for you, but there
are other ways you can act.
As we reflect on Earth Day resistance, one
way you can take action is through the UU Ministry of the Earth, the Unitarian
Universalist Association Office at the United Nations, and the Unitarian
Universalist Association Green Sanctuary Program, who have come together to
launch the Create Climate Justice initiative.
Create Climate Justice Net was created to give UU climate and
environmental justice activists and coalition partners a valuable tool for
education, collaboration, and organizing.
Right now, their three current priority focus areas are:
Strengthening Unitarian Universalist communications and mutual support
networks for Climate Justice
Mobilizing UUs in solidarity with Indigenous front-line communities
Supporting the Just Transition to an ecological civilization through
partnerships and civic engagement
One
way you can express your resistance in support of Earth Day is by joining the
Create Climate Justice initiative. I
joined. I want to be more educated, and
more aware of witness opportunities, and so I can find ways to support the
“Just Transition to an ecological civilization.”
So
I urge you the spirit of love which is the foundation of our faith, to
celebrate and Resist this Earth Day.
Unitarian Universalist Reverend Julie Taylor reflects on what love might
mean to UUs in this time of resistance:
Love is patient
Love is kind
It does not envy
It is not proud
Love bears all things
We know these words, use these words when we
refer to one person loving another.
Love looks different when we relate to
systems.
Love looks different in the face of
injustice.
[Love looks different when we decide to
treat all life forms with respect because each life form has worth and
dignity.]
It is then that
Love is resistant
Love is defiant
It is not backing down
It is staying in the streets
Love is holding each other and ourselves
accountable.
Love is challenging — because none of us is
free until all of us are free.
Love is protest
Protest is love
Love bears all things
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