NATURAL RESOURCES
“It’s a natural resource. But it’s not unlimited.” -Billy Mayes
A true “ecological debt” exists, particularly between the global north and south, connected to commercial imbalances with effects on the environment, and the disproportionate use of natural resources by certain countries over long periods of time. (Pope Francis, LS #51)
“You set the earth on its foundations, and never will it be shaken. Like a garment you covered it with ocean, and waters spread over the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. Brought to the mountains they flow down again to settle in the valleys.” (Psalm 104:5-8, Christian Community Bible)
REFLECTION: Natural resources are at the heart of the environmental issues. The natural resources are very important for us because without them, we will not survive. All these natural resources we have are not only beautiful, but more importantly, they are vital in sustaining and nurturing our lives. We are called not only to beautify our natural resources, but also to avoid harming our environment. This is to prevent us to experience a massive negative effect of intense natural calamities. We have to be one with our natural resources and to be grateful and appreciative of them to help shape our environment.
Key Statement: We have to be one with our natural resources and to be grateful and appreciative of them.
Personal Challenge: I am not apart from natural resources, but certainly a part of nature.
PRAYER
God of all creation, thank You for a bountiful earth. Bless those who till the land and draw from the resources of the seas. As we share and enjoy the fruits of the earth, may we and the coming generation continue to praise You in the beauty and grandeur of Your creation. Lastly, may we come to know and experience You through all creation. Amen.
ROMANO M. BULATAO is a Professor at Saint Louis University (SLU), Baguio City. He completed his AB Philosophy in 1990 at the Saint Anthony Mary Claret College (SAMCC), Quezon City; MA Religious Studies in 2003, and MA Philosophy in 2014, both in SLU; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology, Major in Missiology, at the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA) – SAMCC in 2021. Mr. Bulatao served as the Department Head of Religion at SLU (2006-2009); and President of the Kapatirang Claretiano Inc. – Pangasinan Chapter (KCI-PC), since 2011. He is the author of the book entitled Touching Thoughts A-Z published in 2009; translator of the Novena to Saint Anthony Mary Claret (from Pangasinan language to English) published in 2015; and the Novena kay San Antonio Maria Claret (from Pangasinan language to Filipino) published in 2020 by the Claretian Publications. ((romanobulatao@yahoo.com)
