The Last Breakfast

 "Coffee?" 

"Please. Triple triple."

"Cocoa porridge or chicken vegetable soup?"

"Both."

Yesterday morning, I was privileged to help with the Last Breakfast at Camp Pekiwewin (Pekiwewin means Welcome Home), a place for the homeless of our city that was created by volunteers from Black Lives Matter and many other groups. When our city shut down the Expo Centre shelter facility at the beginning of the summer, many people stepped up to close the gap. They started by erecting a tepee and sacred fire which were soon surrounded by a small city of tents, situated at the foot of Walterdale Hill and Bridge, across from the city ball park in clear sight of downtown commuters. It survived on volunteer power and donations from the wider community offered by many people who understand the importance of caring for those living on the margins.

I only made it down to camp three times, twice to serve porridge and coffee and once to drop off a donation. I was impressed by the young adults who were in charge and their strong sense of service and social justice. They showed the City of Edmonton that caring for the homeless is not optional, but essential, insisting on the dignity of all those living in the tent community and demanding their rights to a place where they felt safe. 

In effect, Camp Pekiwewin shamed the City into taking action sooner than later to set up shelters for colder weather, and woke many Edmontonians up to the usually hidden fact of homelessness. Now that winter is arriving, the camp is in its last days. Yesterday's meals were the last to be offered by volunteers, and today there will be a closing Round Dance for the community as a whole.

And make no mistake, it was a well-organized community considering that we are in pandemic times. Everyone did their best to live by covid-19 protocols given the roughness of the situation. The people onsite knew each other and looked after each other. One fellow appeared at the kitchen window five or six times yesterday morning, taking away bowls after bowls of porridge, clearly serving his friends -- there was no way a beanpole like him could eat that much, that quickly. Most folks were polite while waiting in line, ensuring that the person ahead of them had picked up all their food before stepping up to the window. There was plenty of good-natured banter, and considerable dismay that this was "The Last Breakfast." The residents are now expected to go to one of three shelters the city has arranged, and the community is saying its farewells to each other.

I couldn't help but feel the weight of sadness in the air, that these friendships and Camp's sense of community is being divided up. Though I definitely wasn't one of the regulars, I felt the camaraderie and sense of purpose in supporting the common good just by the way everyone welcomed and kibbitzed with a relative stranger, and put me to work organizing the kitchen or dishing out porridge. The volunteers, some of whom practically lived onsite, figured out what the community needed and worked very successfully to create it. Social work, medical care, security, food, and clothing were provided by a large group of committed Edmontonians who volunteered their time and resources, and who clearly had a stake in the common good provided for at Camp.

And now, while many of Camp's residents will go to the shelters, I suspect others will retreat into more isolated camps in the River Valley once again. They are the ones I worry about the most. In February during a dog walk, I happened upon a fellow who had built himself a tiny plywood shack in the ravine not far from here. He was friendly, and clearly used to roughing it. He might be able to survive winter, but will he be able to avoid covid-19 with the numbers rising in our city? And if he does get sick, will he be able to access the help he needs? God, I hope so.

This morning, the snow is really coming down. Our health officials tell us the virus is really ramping up. The temptation for those of us living in relative comfort and security is to settle down for a long winter's nap. The challenge, especially in these days of pandemic, is to continue to work for the good of all those around us, to remember to support the foodbanks, the inner city agencies, and the many volunteers and service organizations that help our low-income brothers and sisters. Maybe I can't serve porridge at Camp again, but there are other opportunities to donate or work for the good of those who struggle...

Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society

The Bissell Centre

Boyle Street Community Services

Edmonton Food Bank

Hope Mission

Homeward Trust

The Marian Centre

The Mustard Seed

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Snowmageddon

You've probably heard about the blizzard in Newfoundland. Here is a brilliant recap by a musician/actor/politician named Sean Panting. He's borrowed the melody of a tune called Tickle Cove Pond and made the whole event look and sound way more fun than it probably was, I'm sure. Hats off to all the Newfies who have coped and helped each other out, taking the common good to heart and putting it into practice. May Spring Thaw be gentle on you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rGr4cKXIRY

Laudato Si Sunday reflection: Calling for what the world needs

Today's reflection is brought to you by 
Malachi 4:1-2 and Luke 21: 9-19.

Oh God,
climate change is coming,
already burning like an oven
in some places.

Human apathy,
arrogance,
ignorance,
and greed
have brought us to a point where
much of creation is suffering
in many different ways.

With what will we be left?

The only answer to our plight
is to turn to you,
to work for the good you want for all,
so that your righteousness arises
in us
and all creation knows the healing
in your wings.

Help us to turn to you now.
+Amen.

* * * * * * * 

We're entering section three of Chapter three, "The Crisis and Effects of Modern Anthropocentrism" -- that A word referring to the belief that human beings are the most important creatures on earth as far as our value and intelligence go.

But rather than re-flog the anthropocentrism horse too much (flogging any horse is a rather anthropocentric thing to do, if you think about it), I just want to quickly summarize what Pope Francis and friends are saying in paragraphs 115-119 of Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home (you can read them for yourself by clicking here and scrolling down).

Paragraph 115 -- Our human-centred, technological-minded world view has turned creation into an object to be used in too many peoples' minds -- this is ground that's already been covered, except perhaps for its connection with technological thinking.

Paragraph 116 -- We need to pay attention to reality and its limits and recognize that we are not masters of the earth, but stewards of creation. I dislike the word "stewards" as it still places human beings as managers above creation -- wouldn't it be better to say, co-operators WITH creation?

Paragraph 117 -- "When we fail to acknowledge as part of reality the worth of a poor person, a human embryo, a person with disabilities -- to offer just a few examples -- it becomes difficult to hear the cry of nature itself; everything is connected." There's the chorus of Laudato Si, sung for the sixth time! But again, only mentioning human beings -- there's a problem when we're so stuck on human worth that we fail to acknowledge the importance of everything from aardvarks to zooplankton because we are only worried about human issues. There has to be a balance.

Paragraph 118 -- "There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature without a renewal of humanity itself. There can be no ecology without an adequate anthropology.... Human beings cannot be expected to feel responsibility for the world unless, at the same time, their unique capacities of knowledge, will, freedom and responsibility are recognized and valued." Again, balanced with the concerns of all God's creatures.

Cowichan Bay, BC

Paragraph 119 -- "Our relationship with the environment can never be isolated from our relationship with others and with God. Otherwise, it would be nothing more than romantic individualism dressed up in ecological garb, locking us into a stifling immanence."  But I can't see immanence, the idea that God is present in all material things/beings as stifling -- rather, we are freed from self-absorption when we can see Divine Presence in everything around us. That's where humanity's mind needs to be re-set so that we can do what's needed for the good of everything.

Our relationship with God should never be isolated from our relationship with creation. Otherwise, it's nothing more than romantic individualism dressed up in over-pious garb, locking us into a religiosity that ignores God's presence in the rest of creation -- and unfortunately, that's where some folks seem to be stuck at the moment -- "our eyes are fixed on heaven; who cares about the earth?"

Connecting these paragraphs of Laudato Si with this Sunday's Gospel reading somehow isn't much of a stretch for me. Imagine Jesus saying something like this to us:

When you hear of and see pollution and climate change disruptions, do not be terrified. These things must take place first, before human beings wake up and take their responsibility for the earth and each other seriously. Fires, floods and all sorts of disasters will happen, famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and signs of climate strife. 

But before things get really terrible, some good people will come up with some important plans, and it is up to everyone to put them into practice, especially your political leaders. This will give you an opportunity to push the world into action, to demand necessary changes. I will be with you in words, wisdom and actions that none will be able to contradict. By your endurance, you, with me, will save the world.

Are we ready to call for what the world needs, now?

Laudato Si: Sunday Reflection #40...Kissin' cousins

Part of the fun -- and challenge -- of writing these reflections has been coming up with their titles. Usually, if a title comes to me in a hurry, the writing flows well, but if not... well, let's say those untitled posts have been plain old hard work right down to the Sunday deadline (and they're usually the ones with multiple typos that I have to fix after their initial publication just because I changed directions in my thinking too often and was too tired to see the errors for the mistakes by the end).

So this week's title delights me. Its inspiration comes from the short section entitled "Religions in Dialogue with Science," paragraphs 199-201 of the Pope's encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home. It can be accessed by clicking here and scrolling down.

Pope Francis and his writing team begin by explaining that empirical science, though it has taught us much about God's creation, cannot explain everything about reality. Its language often is unable to encompass the ethical values and principles that come through spiritual experiences, art, music, or poetry, simply because it sticks to facts and shies away from the human emotions and opinions that are needed to attribute value to life. Or at least, that's how I read paragraph 199. How do you see it?

This is where the kissin' cousins idea comes in: both science and faith, I would argue, are required to help us to live well in the world. They are kissing cousins in that science offers the discoveries that can help us to improve the planet's health and the necessary study of ecosystems, while faith keeps before us "the great motivations which make it possible for us to live in harmony, to make sacrifices, and to treat others well" (paragraph 200).

We need to have both cousins living in our hearts if we are to find solutions to our present ecological crises. It's not enough to have faith without science's potential solutions, nor would it work to have scientific ideas without faith's strong push for life and love for all of God's creatures. We need both!

I particularly like parts of paragraph 201:

The majority of people living on our planet profess to be believers. This should spur religions to dialogue among themselves for the sake of protecting nature, defending the poor, and building networks of respect and fraternity [note: community would be a more inclusive word]. Dialogue among the various sciences is likewise needed, since... specialization leads to a certain isolation... [which] prevents us from confronting environmental problems effectively. An open and respectful dialogue is also needed among ecological movements... The gravity of the ecological crisis demands that we all look to the common good, embarking on a path of dialogue which demands patience, self-discipline and generosity, always keeping in mind that "realities are greater than ideas."

That last quotation comes from Pope Francis's first encyclical, Evangelii Gaudium (paragraph 231).

So... if realities are greater than ideas, and science and faith can work closely together to make wise choices about how to decrease humanity's negative impact on nature, there is hope for our planet. Unfortunately, too often human beings choose either science or faith, forgetting that they can believe in God and evolution or whatever undisputed scientific information is on offer. The distrust between the two sides is well-documented, but it's time to put that in the past.

The good news is that there have been many people over the centuries who have been people of both faith and science, who have made important discoveries and contributed to the earth's good. An excellent article about over one hundred faith-filled scientists can be accessed by clicking here. And there are movements afoot where people from different beliefs and backgrounds are working together to create positive change in our world. The Charter for Compassion is one example:

Could something like this be created between the faith and scientific communities? A charter for scientific faith or faith-filled science? I think so -- but as with anything, connections between the two begin within us. Symposiums on Climate Change and other ecological issues are often left to scientists when the presence of believers would bring some ethical balance and wisdom that can be forgotten in the excitement of scientific discovery. Faith discussions about how to protect creation from further exploitation will remain only conversations without the scientists in attendance who can help action proceed. Openness to new ideas is a critical element as we go forward to solve our earth's problems.

So our challenge is to move forward as people of both faith and science -- to participate in ecological discussions and attend conferences and symposiums with an openness to the possibilities the kissin' cousins can create if we allow them to work together. Faith can work with science to bring our world around to wiser actions, to save our planet for future generations.

Let's pray that it comes to pass, and ask the Holy Spirit to show us where our action can help...

*******

A prayer for our earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe

and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,

so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts

of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united

with every creature

as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.

+AMEN.

(A prayer for our earth and all quotations from Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home © Libreria Editrice Vaticana)

Next up: Change is a-comin'