In a Mirror, Dimly

I’ll admit I shrug too much. And say I don’t know. And am quiet and unsure among people who seem confident in their knowledge. But the older I get, the fewer strong opinions I carry.

In the Gospels, Jesus speaks in parables and similes. The kingdom is always like something. If Jesus can’t explain it clearly and precisely then who can?

I come out pretty strongly in favor of the greater good, preserving the earth’s resources, and taking care to limit exploitation of the poor and marginalized. But there’s a lot of wiggle room in there. And I’m torn as to what I can do to help.

I know about the harm of factory farms and government subsidized monocultures of corn, wheat and soybeans. But have you seen Kiss the Ground on Netflix? Am I the only one who didn’t know that carbon sequestration is the best way to reverse climate change? And that one of the keys is to have small numbers of cattle grazing, making manure and tamping down grasses? Or what about Fantastic Fungi? How did I not understand the role of mycelium in keeping plants and soil and the entire world intact?

And what do I do with that information? If the US, China and India refuse to cooperate with a holistic plan to save the planet, how can I help? Vote? Eat plants? Shop at farmer’s markets? It all seems pretty inadequate.

Or like the guy in the picture. What do I do about him besides be sure he’s breathing? He was, and seemed to be resting peacefully, Bible nearby. But how did we get to this place? There are so many problems in that single image.

Today I turn another year older, and I know even less than I did last year.

Creator, as hearts and minds harden, as fear and selfishness grow, we need you more than ever. Please. Amen