Good Stewardship of Creation

Korea has always looked on farming as an honored occupation.  Aristocrats, farmers, artisans and tradesmen was the  order in which traditional society saw the  different occupations. Even today the farming profession is respected, even though few are interested in following  in the ways of their ancestors. Reasons for the change are easily seen: work is difficult,  money is little, and society has many other possibilities that are more attractive and esteemed.

The liturgy this past Sunday was a reminder to Christians that  farming  has a lot to teach us. We learn some of the basic laws of nature from farming, and  respect for the earth, and what it can do for us. One of the diocesan bulletins reminds the readers of the joy that comes with farming. 

Writing about the readings for the 11th Sunday of the Year, the priest mentions that he has been farming for the past two years and brings his produce to the bishop's table.Those eating with the bishop praise his efforts for their freshness and taste-- all naturally grown.

Farmers in Korea have a problem with turning over their land to organic farming for it is  more difficult than using chemicals and sprays to help in the work. The produce would also not be as plentiful, which for a farmer is a great sacrifice when the marketing of the produce is important in supporting family.

He asks the readers to get involved in a little vegetable garden on their property. We see this being done also in apartments, on roof tops, and in verandas with  plastic containers, and also those who become weekend farmers, renting land in areas out side the city. 

Weather conditions are doing a lot of harm to the farmers way of life, the prices of food continue to rise, and the fear that many have with the pesticides that are used is helping to make farmers out of the city dwellers.

Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment  will formally be published this Thursday and we are already beginning to here the pros and cons. Korea will have little difficulty in accepting the encyclical for they are very conscious of  the change of weather in the past decades. Most of the world's scientist see it at least as a partially  man made situation, and the majority of our citizens will have little difficulty  understanding the good stewardship that is expected from the citizens. There have been for many years great concern for the enviroment with the 'Anabada Movement': Save, Share, Exchange and Reuse. Hopefully the rest of the world will follow the 'saner and greater numbers' and see that the wanton disregard for creation as a sin.