In the Episcopal church today is remembered as, "The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ" and the scriptures designated for today in the Revised Common Lectionary follow that theme. Even Psalm 8 echoes the theme when it says in verse 1a "Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!" * and repeats it again in verse 9. (The psalmist was, of course, referring to God and not Jesus; but the concept is there.) Reading further in the Psalm, however, I was struck by another message buried there. Verses 6 through 8 say:
"You let us rule everything
your hands have made.
And you put all of it
under our power -
the sheep and the cattle,
and every wild animal,
the birds in the sky,
the fish in the sea,
and all ocean creatures.
As we look to a new year on this first day of January perhaps this is one of the lessons we most need to carry into this new year because we continue to hear the warnings about Climate Change. The challenge presented by Climate Change seems overwelming and an understandable knee jerk reaction is, "What can I do about such a huge problem?" Realistically as an individual we can do little. But as individuals working together in small ways we can have an impact by consciously recycling and engaging in other common sense actions. (Do we really need to use that paper plate this time or can we take the time to wash the dish? How many paper napkins do we really need when we eat at the fast food restaurant? Is this the type of plastic that will recycle; should I take the time to find out?) Many small actions can add up to making an impact and we should do this because, "... you put all of it under our power."
* Contemporary English Version
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