20th April 2023
Regret
Honest awareness of what is happening in the world may prompt us to consider the part we have been or are playing, and to reassess our response.
Far away and near at hand
The floods were far away
Now there near at hand.
How long before I wet my feet
and take a stand?
The heat was far away.
Now it’s close to home.
How long before I own the fact
and finally begin to act?
Hurricanes were tropical.
Now they’re topical.
How long before I feel my guilt
and understand the world we’ve built?
Our climate is changing –
Far away and near at hand.
Holy God, redeem our failings
and strengthen our resolve:
far away and near at hand.
How long O Lord?
How many heat waves?
How many droughts?
How many floods?
How many lost coast lines?
How many before we admit our error?
Before we recognise the crisis?
How many lost penguins?
How many missing polar bears?
How many extinct butterflies?
How many disappearing swifts?
How many before we admit our error?
Before we recognise the crisis?
How many car journeys?
How many air miles?
How many beef steaks?
How many tonnes of cement?
How many before we admit our error?
Before we recognise the crisis?
Creator God, we admit our error
and recognise the crises we have caused.
Grant us the wisdom and determination to make amends:
To change the way we live,
To change the way we see things,
To have care for the future. Amen.
The Green Tau 