Fifth week of Lent | March 21-27 2010
Christian Simplicity Online at www.lent45.org
Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus – Living in Harmony with Creation, God and the Entire Human Family
Transportation Driving is the human activity of choice which most adversely affects creation.
Our Lenten practice in simplicity this week is to drive less, conscious of protecting God’s creation..
We need to reconsider how we get around.
Earth’s climate has always been changing – sometimes slowly,
sometimes suddenly. But today’s situation is unique. The change is “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
being caused by one of God’s creatures. Humans have become a titanic
but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
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force. Our population has dramatically increased (6.5 billion today,
– Psalm 24:1
compared to 1.6 billion in 1900) and our technological inventiveness
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has improved. The production of industrial chemicals has expanded
and the use of petroleum has become widespread. We can hardly
What the Church is Saying
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imagine our life without the multiplicity of products which involve
petroleum use. The benefits are remarkable. But petroleum also 1. Sharing Energy Equitably
has harmful effects upon the planet’s atmosphere. Plus, it is a non-
“Questions linked to the care and preservation of the environment today
renewable energy resource – the supply is limited – when it’s gone, it’s
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need to give due consideration to the energy problem…. The international
gone. We are now challenged to find renewable energy sources such as
community has an urgent duty to find institutional means of regulating the
solar, wind or geothermal. exploitation of non-renewable resources, involving poor countries in the
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The U.S. is less than 5% of the world’s population, but we are process, in order to plan together for the future.”
responsible for about 20% of the carbon dioxide being emitted. By – Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas In Veritate, 2009
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minimizing the use of our cars and whenever possible, selecting
alternative means of transportation, we will not only help curb the 2. Why Care for Creation?
trend toward global climate change, but we will be saving precious “The degradation of the environment is a worrying concern. The Church
petroleum resources for our children and grandchildren. takes it upon herself to give voice to the true aspirations of humanity in favor
of an ecological balance which does not put at risk our earth and the whole
During Lent we have been exploring how to live out God’s call to creation made by the Creator’s hands and given to humanity as the abode of
be good stewards of Earth’s resources and to care for the planet. beauty and balance, a gift and basic resource of all human existence.”
This week’s challenge may be the toughest of all: to examine our – World Synod of Bishops, 2001
transportation choices. Since 1/3 of U.S. air pollution comes from
petroleum-powered transportation, we need to think carefully about 3. Global Climate Change Threatens God’s Creation
how we get around. “At its core, global climate change is not about economic theory or political
platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about
the future of God’s creation and the one human family. It is about protecting
both ‘the human environment’ and the natural environment.”
–– Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and
the Common Good, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2001
4. Easter Message Highlights Global Climate Change
“At a time of world food shortage, of financial turmoil, of old and new forms
of poverty, of disturbing climate change, of violence and deprivation which force
many to leave their homelands in search of a less precarious form of existence,
of the ever-present threat of terrorism, of growing fears over the future, it is
The U.S. is less than 5% of the world’s population, urgent to rediscover grounds for hope. Let no one draw back from this peaceful
battle that has been launched by Christ’s Resurrection.”–
but we are responsible for about 20% of the
– Pope Benedict XVI, Easter 2009
carbon dioxide being emitted.
Imagine if the Earth were divided equally among all of us. Each person would receive 4.5 acres. Now imagine that everything you need – food, energy, home,
clothing, gadgets – must come from those 4.5 acres. But it takes 22.3 acres to maintain the average American lifestyle. There is a new way of observing Lent
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that helps us care for God’s creation by taking steps toward using only our fair share of its resources. Moving in the direction of 4.5 is essential for anyone
walking in the footsteps of Jesus today. Online at www.lent45.org
Online at www.lent45.org
Christian Simplicity
Did You Know
• The average U.S. driver spends 1,000 hours on the road every year.
• Using one gallon of gasoline emits 20 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Action Steps • Riding public transit saves individuals $9,190 annually.
• One out of five households in Louisville doesn’t own a car.
Most of us depend upon our car to get around. Finding alternative means • The U.S. produces 10% of the world’s petroleum and consumes 24%.
of transportation isn’t going to be easy. On a continuum – between
driving alone wherever you go to not owning a car – where are you? Now,
can you imagine taking one step in the direction of less driving? This Short Trips
week of Lent, offer the Earth a kind of Sabbath – rest your car. 40% of all urban travel happens within 2 miles of where people live and 90%
of those trips are by car. This week, give up driving to nearby destinations.
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If There’s Only One Thing You Can Do … Walk to all locations within six blocks of your house.
Try abstaining from your car for one whole day. Plan ahead so that you When eating out, choose a nearby restaurant and walk instead of
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won’t need to drive that day. Arrange to work from home or select driving across town.
a weekend day where you can walk if you need to go somewhere.
Plan ahead – combine your many small trips into one.
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Freeing yourself from your vehicle can be life changing.
The ordinary household makes 496 shopping trips a year with an average School Trips
distance of 7 miles. That’s 3,472 miles per year (the distance from Miami Nearly 30% of driving is getting kids to school. Consider options:
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to Juneau, Alaska). Set a target to decrease non-essential driving –
Select an alternative way to get to school. Walk, bike or bus this week.
10%, 20%, 30%?
Join or start a neighborhood carpool.
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Consider Alternatives
Stop needless idling. Turn off your engine while waiting to pick-up kids.
Sacrifice. Before getting into the car, ask: Is this trip absolutely
necessary? Can it be combined with another? Can I walk or bike? If You Must Drive
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Could I share a ride? Here are some ways to lower your energy consumption:
Become familiar with public transportation! Ride TARC at least once Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure to get better gas mileage.
this week – to work or any destination. Go to www.ridetarc.com or call
Don’t drive faster than 60 miles per hour to save gas, be safe and reduce stress.
585.1234 to find your route.
Don’t warm your engine more than 10 seconds – that’s enough!
Make at least one trip this week by bike. If shopping, carry items in
your backpack. Fast from speed. Slow down, drive in the extreme right lane.
Skip the elevator and take the stairs – burn calories, not electricity. Make your next car purchase a fuel efficient model.
Steps Continued
Prayer Available online at www.Lent45.org
Loving God, you often called your
chosen people to journey with you
1. Take the 2-Mile Challenge and see how you can
reduce your nearby car trips by using a bike instead.
and you blessed their movement with
guidance and grace. Support our 2. Find ride sharing opportunities within Louisville.
human family as we search for
3. Learn how to make your car more efficient.
alternative means to fuel our journeys.
Grant that we may have the will and 4. Louisville is considering an ordinance against needless
courage to act differently to protect idling. Look into it.
your creation and share its resources 5. Help bring high speed rail to Louisville.
fairly. – Amen.
Passionist Earth & Spirit Center online resources available at www.earthandspiritcenter.org
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© Copyright 2010 by Passionist Earth & Spirit Center, Louisville, KY