UNDERSTANDING
“Look deep into the nature and then you will understand everything better.”- Albert Einstein
It would hardly be helpful to describe symptoms without acknowledging the human origins of the ecological crisis. A certain way of understanding human life and activity has gone awry, to the serious detriment of the world around us. (Pope Francis, LS #101)
“And again, he who tills the land is the first to enjoy the fruits of the harvest. Think over what I am telling you; the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2Timothy 2:6-7, Christian Community Bible)
REFLECTION: Many people in our society today do not care about our nature or environment. They just throw their waste or trash anywhere without proper disposal. Sometimes, we do not understand the consequences of such an act if we keep on doing it. God gave us the nature in order for us to have food, water, and everything to help us survive. But because some of us do not really understand the importance of other things in creation, we destroy them. For instance, if people keep on cutting trees, the people in the lowlands will suffer from floods. Therefore, we should take care of our nature by planting trees and we must dispose our garbage properly. Understanding all the things that concern our nature or environment will make our society today cleaner, more presentable, safer and healthier.
Key Statement: Understanding all the things that concern our nature or environment will make our society today cleaner, more presentable, safer and healthier.
Personal Challenge: I need to deepen my understanding about my role regarding environmental issues.
PRAYER
Loving God, we thank You for giving us the capacity to understand. We thank You also, for guiding and helping us embrace our role and responsibility towards nature. May we value the land that provides our needs and sustenance. Strengthen us to protect and promote the dignity of Your 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)
