In the last installment of the reflection series I will be reflecting on Luke 22:25-27. Jesus is talking to his disciples during the last supper. A dispute breaks out between the disciples about which one of them is the greatest. Jesus responds to them:
"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. "
I don’t know anyone that hasn’t been stuck in this predicament. Even in childhood playing king of the mountain we are taught to be the best and the greatest. Why would someone act differently? Why would someone demote themselves down to service? When the disciples break-out in an argument about greatness it ends with Jesus talking about service.
When this attitude is applied to the environment what happens? What is ‘greatness’ with the environment? Oil seems to be at the center of the world. Oil prices continue to sky rocket in the stock market. Oil is a precious resource that fuels cars, plastic, and many other things. Coal is blown out of mountains. Gold and silver have been sought after for centuries. Water is a way to travel and a source for life. Trees are used in housing, paper, heat, and many other things. So, as people are we called to exploit these resources so that we can be at the top? Or are we to care and till the earth?
Some practical things. Recycle, reduce, reuse. It’s this crazy cliché phrase, but true. Are you recycling? Can you recycle more? Are there things that you can reduce? How about paper cups, plates, or utensils? Sometimes reducing can be done by replacing. Reducing can also be done in using less gas, paper, or stuff. Do you reuse? I like to use a water bottle and a mug. I try to see if I can use things again or multiple times before I recycle it or throw it away.
Sometimes we all act as if the world is in service to us. However, I challenge myself and you to be more in service of it.
"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. "
I don’t know anyone that hasn’t been stuck in this predicament. Even in childhood playing king of the mountain we are taught to be the best and the greatest. Why would someone act differently? Why would someone demote themselves down to service? When the disciples break-out in an argument about greatness it ends with Jesus talking about service.
When this attitude is applied to the environment what happens? What is ‘greatness’ with the environment? Oil seems to be at the center of the world. Oil prices continue to sky rocket in the stock market. Oil is a precious resource that fuels cars, plastic, and many other things. Coal is blown out of mountains. Gold and silver have been sought after for centuries. Water is a way to travel and a source for life. Trees are used in housing, paper, heat, and many other things. So, as people are we called to exploit these resources so that we can be at the top? Or are we to care and till the earth?
Some practical things. Recycle, reduce, reuse. It’s this crazy cliché phrase, but true. Are you recycling? Can you recycle more? Are there things that you can reduce? How about paper cups, plates, or utensils? Sometimes reducing can be done by replacing. Reducing can also be done in using less gas, paper, or stuff. Do you reuse? I like to use a water bottle and a mug. I try to see if I can use things again or multiple times before I recycle it or throw it away.
Sometimes we all act as if the world is in service to us. However, I challenge myself and you to be more in service of it.
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