Justice Matters: Dig for health; Breathe for justice

Those with family stories from the 1940s and 50’s might recall the slogan on posters: “Dig for Victory” – the call to grow vegetables wherever land was available to boost provision during and after World War 2.

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A similar invitation is heard today as we are called to rediscover our relationship with the Earth. Making opportunities to grow vegetables, or on window sills herbs; caring for gardens, planting trees, joining in at community gardens are all ways to reconnect with the Earth while living in the city. City life tends to distance us from the soil. For me, busyness means even my little garden is feeling ignored all too often.

This sense of being a part of the Earth, joined to all people, joined to all life on Earth, in one communion is at the heart of what Pope Francis and the Vatican calls integral human ecology. 

I proposed this week’s title include “dig for health” because it's increasingly recognised that this connection to other parts of Nature is needed for health…. Also it's one that trips off the tongue more readily than, “Dig for integral human ecology”. 

Reflect

In these columns we have often reflected on this link that we each have with all people and all the Earth. We’ve said how any act of kindness has effects that in some way helps to heal the whole of the broken world we live in.

We have also reflected on the systemic sin, including from politics and economic forces, that not only takes resources and riches to the rich, but is in our times threatening the sustainability of human life to a degree that is greater than ever before.

Pope Francis in “Laudato Si” calls us to seek renewal and ecological conversion in ourselves, our communities, socio-economic powers and so renew all the Earth. 

“Send forth your Spirit O Lord and renew the face of the Earth” (Psalm 103)

What does justice look like? Perhaps it's when a person, a group, a locality, a country, an Earth receives, celebrates and shares God’s grace – grace in the gifts of creation, and in renewed relationships.

Act

In these columns we have highlighted all sorts of campaigns and local groups that seek this transition to a better way of living. But what is the simplest action we can take for justice?

I’d like to suggest it might be breathing! Those who join the weekly contemplative prayer group will be aware of how breathing, slow and deep, links to praying. For example, as we breathe in we can invite the grace of God into our core, and breathe out asking we can let go of anything that is obstructive to that grace. 

Then we might recall our connectedness, and the widening circles in which we live. As each of the circles comes to mind, we can pray for God’s grace to flow in and anything that impairs it be let go. After praying for ourselves we might next imagine God’s grace and renewal flowing through us and around us to and from those close to us. Then we might think of the next wider circle, our church community and other groupings we are in. Then our locality, our country, and the whole Earth. If we follow the guidance of Tutu, then in our prayer we will include in love the politicians whose policies we might abhor.  

Maybe try this as you walk to or from your home – or each time you go up the stairs. For this you do not need a place of silence or isolation, or a long time. God’s grace, like breathing is in the daily activity of life.

Mike Mineter