Third Sunday of Lent (C)

Scripture Reflection
The bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. (Exodus 3. 2)
The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, named himself "I AM". God is being. When we are blazing with God in the life of discipleship God's being is in us and we are not consumed.

Eco-Thought
“I shall seek no longer for the burning bush;
All bushes are ablaze.
And I will not hasten to depart
From daily grief and gladness
To climb a holy mountain;
Every mountain now is sacred,
Each marketplace, and every home,
All, all are blessed
Since God has pitched a tent among us”
(Veronica Kopersky, poem “Holy Ground”)

Eco-Tip
Be sure to recycle paint, oil, and flammable liquids as well as medicines according to your local bylaws. Your local paint store, or fire department, or pharmacy can point you in the right direction. They cannot be flushed down the sewer, they must be treated so they don’t end up in our water systems.

Second Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Scripture Reflection
Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3.20)
We identify ourselves by the groups in which we have membership: family, church, sporting teams, clubs. Over time, these groups form us and we conform to the values they promote. As disciples, our first membership is with the company in heaven where Christ transforms the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory.

Eco-Thought
“If we unbalance nature, humankind will suffer.” (Dalai Lama)

Eco-Tip
The first of the 3 R’s of recycling is to reduce. For the rest, make sure you sort appropriately. Don’t forget to keep your milk cartons, jugs, bottles, and cans separate. They can be returned for refunds.

First Sunday of Lent (Year C)

Scripture Reflection
I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me. (Deuteronomy 26.10)
A sense of gratitude is the only source of joyful generosity. (Bishop Robert Morneau).

Eco-Thought
“In the deep solitude, alone with nature, we converse with God.”
(Rev. Thaddeus Mason Harris)

Eco-Tip
Start your own compost bin, all those food scraps once composted will make all your gardens and flower beds loaded with nutrients for spring.

Baptism of Our Lord (C)

Scripture Reflection

"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread . . . ?" (Isaiah 55.2)

Whether it is our money, our labour, or our time, there are many ways we can spend it. One of the reasons we live in a culture of want is that we squander our resources on things that do not satisfy. Spend your resources on building the Kingdom, your efforts for God's glory, and your time in prayer.

Eco-Thought

Today, the dramatic threat of ecological breakdown is teaching us the extent to which greed and selfishness – both individual and collective - are contrary to the order of creation.

~ Pope John Paul II

Save money on coffee or tea by taking your refillable mug with you. Most coffee shops reduce the price of their products if you have your own mug. More importantly, you significantly reduce the impact on the environment because less cups are discarded.

Epiphany (C)

Scripture Reflection

Arise, shine out, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you. (Isaiah 60)

The glory of God has been made manifest to us in the birth of a Saviour. How can your discipleship spread the light of Christ upon the dark places of the world?

Eco-Thought

The creation is not fallen but is sublime in its beauty and testifies to its Creator, who is beauty itself. ~ David Kinsley, summarizing St. Augustine

Upgrading your computer? Before you toss out the old system you have, consider donating it to a family that needs one. It’s easy to find a new home for your old computer if you 'free-cycle'.

Mary Mother of God

Scripture Reflection

The shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. (Luke 2:20)

The shepherds proclaimed the good news of the Messiah's birth. What miracles have you seen this Christmas season? How can you proclaim the good news?

Eco-Thought

He gave us the mystery of a world that can re-create itself again and again. ~ Barbara Kingsolver

News comes at us in every way imaginable. Your local newspaper is available online, and should cost you less than paying for the paper subscription. With internet access available almost everywhere, consider saving on some unnecessary printing.

Holy Family (C)

Scripture Reflection

God has brought laughter for me. (Genesis 21.6)

Christian discipleship is an adventure. We can never know what God has in mind with the gifts He has given us. Yet, like Abraham, we obey in faith so that we too may laugh like Sarah in the abundant and surprising blessings God bestows upon His faithful.

Eco-Thought

There is no such thing as alone . . There is no such thing as killing one thing . . . [All living creatures] can’t be your enemy, because one of those connected things is you.

~ Barbara Kingsolver

Want to improve your gas mileage? Check the junk in your trunk and remove all non-essential items. All that extra weight is costing you in fuel and it’s getting a free ride.