Reflection
Those of us who are older were not born into the same world they know. We were not afraid of violence in school, nor did we worry about whether the planet would provide a viable life for us in the future. Yet, these are the concerns we are leaving our children. It is a world built on our learning, a learning that does not seem to understand that our lifestyles may have provided material comforts for our children but it is invested in long term destructive behaviors. Jesus asked us to be like children- not dependent and immature but open minded, inquisitive, trusting and looking to the future. He cautioned us about harming children and its consequences. As we as a culture continue to embrace the status quo and find specious and selfish reasons for inaction, are we thinking about the children?
Prayer
May I have the courage to act for the good of future generations.
Action
UNICEF ‘s Children’s Climate Risk Index shows that when it comes to exposure to environmental shocks, U.S. children are tied for the third-highest threat level in the world. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (ages 0 to 19) in the United States. Educate yourself ands support children’s rights to a safe and healthy future. The Climate crisis is a Child’s Rights Crisis, From Parkland to Sunrise
Suggested Reading
Children are a gift from the Lord.
Psalm 127:3
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Matthew 19:4
I once heard something beautiful: the Earth is not an inheritance that we receive from our parents, but a loan that our children give to us, in order that we safeguard it and make it flourish and return it to them. The Earth is generous and holds back nothing from those who safeguard it. The Earth, which is mother of all, asks for respect and not violence, or worse yet, arrogance from masters. We must return it to our children improved, safeguarded, for they have loaned it to us.
Pope Francis
Do not limit your children to your own learning, for they have been born in another age.
Jewish Proverb
The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.
Carol Bellamy
If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all.
Pearl S. Buck
It makes me very sad that some people in this country seem to value their right to own a gun rather than innocent children’s lives. Parents should not send their kids to school and fear that they may not ever see them again.
Ella Caestecker
I have learned you are never too small to make a difference.
Greta Thunberg
You might think that we are too young to know about the risks and realities of climate change. But we see its effects in our daily lives.
Gertrude, 16, Tanzania.
it’s 3:23 in the morning
and I’m awake
because my great grandchildren
won’t let me sleep
my great grandchildren
ask me in dreams
what did you do while the planet was plundered?
what did you do when the earth was unraveling?
surely you did something
when the seasons started failing?
as the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying?
did you fill the streets with protest
when democracy was stolen?
what did you do
once
you
knew?
Drew Dellinger