Priests of Creation

One of the prime differences between Science and Theology is that when Science speaks about Evolution, Theology focuses on Creation. Creation obviously necessitates a Creator. Creator is then believed to manifest in and through the creation. Ramanuja, a versatile Hindu theologian opines “World is the Body of God.” God cannot be known in 'being' but the 'essence' is propagated through the creation. Thus creation becomes an indispensable reality in our discourses for Romans 8: 22 states “The whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now”. This verse persuades us to give heed to the emotions of the creation.

Humans continue to think that they are the ‘crown of creation’ which legitimises their ecological exploitation.  Humans were asked by God to till and keep the land (Genesis 2:15) and not to dominate it. Lynn White through his article ‘The Historical Roots of the Ecological Crisis’ rebukes Christianity for desacralizing nature. The sanctity of the creation should be acknowledged as humans were formed by God from the fertility of the top soil (Adam derives from the word Adamah which means the top soil). Humans are not the crown of creation rather its co-partner.

The Orthodox theological anthropology considers Humans to be the ‘Priests of Creation’ (John Zizoulas). Tracing the etymology of the word Priest we find it to be a derivative of the Latin word ‘Pontifex’ which literally means - bridge builder. So Priest is the one who bridges the lacuna between the Creator and the Creation. They are not the custodians of the means of grace rather the mediator of the means of grace. Priests are not defined by virtue of their vestments but their mediation praxis. Thus according to Orthodox theology each human being is a Priest – Priest of Creation. This perspective can give a substantial impetus for our understanding towards ecology and the ethical praxis that we need to engage in.

India is a country where the most pollution-link deaths occur. Recently the news statistics revealed that New Delhi is the 11^th most polluted city in the world due to the burning of Petcoke. Petcoke, one of the major sources of air pollutants, is a fuel waste product that is cheaper than coal, easily available and burnt in thousands of factories across India. In fact, so high is its demand in energy-starved India that an Associated Press investigation found that American companies that are unable to dump the polluting fuel at home, are shipping it here. In 2016 alone, the US exported more than 8 million tonnes of petcoke to India, about 20 times higher the amount six years ago. This is in addition to the petcoke India produced locally. 

These calamities contribute to Climate Change. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India being indolent towards Climate Change does in no way assuage the intensity of this cataclysmic reality.  In the pomp and gaiety of ‘development’ the groaning of the creation is capsized or deliberately unheard.  The grandeur of development is at the expense of the livelihood of the margins. Nation cannot develop at the cost of nation.

As Humans are the Priests of Creation, our ignorance towards ecological crisis is a Sin. Earth should not be relegated to the storehouse of human greed and consumerism. Why do you think that Jesus did not convert those stones into bread? It was simply because he did not want to interfere in the Natural Process. Stones certainly become bread but it takes a long time. Primordially the stone should be allowed to wither to become the part of the earth soil, it should then feed the seedling, the seed should grow to become a tree and eventually the tree should bear fruit. All stones eventually are destined to become bread but humans have no right to interfere in their Natural Process.

In the midst of ecological crises, the Church should be the fortress of ecology as it is the body of Christ whose parables are impregnated with ecological elements. How could a church which overlooks the agony of farmers celebrate the Holy Eucharist wherein which the bread and wine are blessed which are nothing but the sweat and blood of the farmers? How could a church initiate baptism by choosing to remain silent when the water bodies are being polluted and privatized? Or do we believe that polluted water is the means of grace? If the Church believes that the sacraments are the visible sign of invisible grace then it is their responsibility to maintain the inherent purity of the sacramental elements.

Today the world celebrates Earth Day. It is a time of accountability. A time to think about our responsibility. Fyodor Dostoevsky remarked “We are all responsible for everyone else but I am more responsible than all the others.” This day let us think of ways in which we could reduce our carbon footprints. Try to see the face of the creator in the creation. Nicholas Kazantzakis reckons “I said to the almond tree, ‘Sister, speak to me of God.’ And the almond tree blossomed.” One who cannot acknowledge the Divinity in the Creation will never find the Divine.

I conclude with the ‘Canticle of Creation’ by St. Francis of Assisi

O Most High, all-powerful, good Lord God,

to you belong praise, glory, honour and all blessing.

Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation

and especially for our Brother Sun, who brings us the day and the light;

he is strong and shines magnificently. O Lord, we think of you when we look at him.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon, and for the stars

which you have set shining and lovely in the heavens.

Be praised, my Lord, for our Brothers Wind and Air

and every kind of weather by which you, Lord, uphold life in all your creatures.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water, who is very useful to us,

and humble and precious and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire, through whom you give us light in the darkness:

he is bright and lively and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Earth, our Mother,

who nourishes us and sustains us, bringing forth

fruits and vegetables of many kinds and flowers of many colours.

Let us pray

Creator God, we acknowledge that we are the Priests of Creation. Give us the ears to listen to the groaning of your creation for you manifest in and through it. For Christ’s sake we pray, Amen.

Prayers

Dn. Basil Paul