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Ecologies of Hope Glimpses of Eden: A Quest for Ecological Conversion in East Africa East Africa is one of the parts of the world bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. But a number of new initiatives and success stories give us reason to hope that the message of Laudato si’ is being heeded within East Africa and beyond. Download this article in PDF format by clicking here The Economics of Pope Francis The economic thought of Pope Francis is rooted in the poverty of St Francis of Assisi, but hopes to bear fruit in our efforts to create a global economy in which financial aims are subtended to human and ecological values. Listening to the Land for Spiritual Direction The invitation to listen to the land as a spiritual director demands a great leap of faith, but one that opens up transformative vistas on human experience. If we recognise that the land is listening to us, then perhaps we will hear the voice of the land respond. Restoring the integrity of life in Jesus The dynamic of the Spiritual Exercises can shed light on our role within the natural cycles of the earth. It helps us to discover our mission to renew the face of the earth as members of the global Church, and stewards of creation. Ecology and ignatian Spirituality The cosmological vision of St Ignatius is supported by the two pillars of incarnation and creation. His sacramental vision of the cosmos can only be sustained if we take our active part in building up the Kingdom of God in response to the ecological crisis. The Spirituality of John Cobb Robert Doud celebrates the work of the process theologian John Cobb, for whom spiritual discernment and prayer create a commitment to the will of God and its purposes, promoting an ‘ecological civilisation’. The experience of beauty in culture and the natural world helps us to discern God’s presence. The Universe, Cosmology and the Fullness of the Kingdom: Enriching Our Perspectives A moment of realisation sparks a reflection on our place in the universe which is our home. From the tiniest quantum particles to the frontiers of the known universe, the Kingdom of God is the perspective from which we can view the whole. Renewal: Comfort or Transformation? Retired Anglican bishop John Stroyan reflects on the renewal that is needed to choose transformation over comfort. Beginning with the cross, he elaborates a vision in which our human brokenness can leads to new life. Desertification as a Spiritual Challenge The wilderness was understood by the Desert Fathers as a place of encounter with God. We can even meet God in the desolate wastelands created by the ecological crisis, and perhaps discover here the new life that is waiting to burst forth. From the Foreword JESUS INVITES HIS DISCIPLES to contemplate nature rather than the cares of the world (Matthew 6:26–34). He directs their attention to the birds flying through the air and the lilies growing in the fields. Then he tells them ‘strive first for the kingdom of God’ . His invitation to turn lovingly towards nature runs like a thread through all the articles in this issue, as does the response of commitment to the Kingdom. There are many ways of discussing ecology that arouse anxiety or even despair. Here we consider ecologies giving rise to a hope that, through our participation in the Kingdom of God, we can find ways of confronting the present environmental crisis.Philip Harrison SJ Please click here to subscribe to The Way, | ||
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