Lent 2011: Crucified Creation     

Reflecting on the Readings: Temptation and Fidelity      

The overriding theme in the readings for the First Sunday of Lent is temptation. The first reading from Genesis begins with the creation of humans who are placed in a world where everything is provided for them by God. However, they reject the invitation to live in partnership with God.

The context of the Gospel is the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. In Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict refers to the temptation of Jesus in the desert as Jesus' "inner struggle for fidelity" (26).

Jesus had fasted from food for forty days and nights. He was hungry and needed something

to eat. So why not use his resources, his power from God, and turn the stones to bread? Jesus responds to the temptation by replying that one lives "on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4). He gives an example of total dependency, not on ourselves, but on God. Are there times when we rely too heavily on ourselves and not on God to provide what we need for security and survival? St. Bonaventure taught that all creation speaks of God. Are there times when we make decisions which we know will waste or harm our natural resources?

When we compromise our values, pretend not to know or feel there is nothing we can do about human trafficking, child abuse or environmental degradation, are we yielding our moral obligation to the false idol of complacency, and comfortable lifestyles?

 

Crucified Creation: Temptation and Fidelity Today        

"The Dark Side of Chocolate" is a newly released documentary that reveals that child labor and human trafficking are prevalent in the cocoa fields in the Ivory Coast. A team of journalists use a hidden camera at times to investigate how human trafficking and child labor in the Ivory Coast supports the worldwide chocolate industry. Estimates are that up to 40% of cocoa is slave grown.

Aside from the cost on human lives, cocoa farming has replaced thousands of acres of rainforest. The impact of this deforestation in Africa has altered the climate, in particular the rainy season, and affected the native flora and fauna. Chemicals and pesticides in the soil are drained by rain into the rivers which then affect the aquatic life.

What can we do as consumers to ensure that we take responsibility for our role? An alternative is to only purchase Fair Trade certified chocolate. With any Fair Trade certified item forced and abusive child labor practices are prohibited and environmentally sustainable production methods are required. Moreover, the cocoa farmers earn a price that is adequate to meet their basic human needs.

Do you have a story of "Crucified Creation" or "Resurrection in Creation" to share with us? Please contact Christy at 202 527 7564 or elliott@franciscanaction.org. 

 

Responding in Action    

The following resources can help you find Fair Trade items and promote their availability in your area:

Global Exchange - http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/retailers.html

Catholic Relief Services - http://www.crsfairtrade.org/products/chocolate-overview/

Green America's Fair Trade Your Supermarket Campaign - http://www.fairtradeyoursupermarket.org/resources/