July, 2010
Nearly a month into the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico we see many people stressed by what has happened with this massive oil leak. The frustration of the nation and all those involved in trying to find a solution to plugging the hold has brought naught. Part of the human nature is that as we watch something which is out of our control, we strive to want to "do something". When nature is our nemesis, we know how to respond in the aftermath, we rise to the occasion and help our fellow man in the clean-up and in the rebuilding of communities; when someone hurts, we come to their aid and lend a hand and a shoulder to ease their burden. But what about now? Hundreds of people are out of work in the Gulf area; people's lives have been shaken upside down; tourism will be affected in the middle of the summer season; eleven people lost their lives in the initial explosion of the well, and their families' lives will never be the same. And then, there is the environment!
What can we do about the environment? It is heartbreaking to see the images of the oil soaked pelicans and other wildlife. It is horrible to see the marshes soaked to their roots in the muck of the mess that has washed ashore. The view from the aerial shots of the Gulf showing the streams of oil mixed with water is devastating. Who knows how long it will take for the area to recover once the gusher has been closed?
There have been many people wishing to help and one of the ways they want to help is by assisting in the clean-up of the wildlife in the region. There is something touching about seeing the cleaning of the wings of an egret or the washing of the eyes of a sea turtle. It is nice to see the best of our humanity rise to the occasion to assist in this moment. However, it is important to keep our sensitivities and our priorities in check.
The environment is, and should always be, protected but we must always remember that man is the mast of the environment and not its slave. Man is to be a good steward of the environment. The world was made for man's use, not to put man into a subservient role. We must also remember, that regretably as it is to see animals by the hundreds lying dead on the Gulf shores, everyday in this country we see the slaughter of over 3,000 children at the hands of their own parents in the horrors of abortion. That never gets headline coverage on the news.
We need to pray that the Holy Spirit will grant wisdom to the experts working in the Gulf to find a solution to closing the hole and plugging the leak. We need to pray for all those who have been affected by this disaster. We need to comment to Almighty God the souls of the men who lost their lives on the Deep Horizon rig when it exploded, and for the comfort of the Holy Spirit upon their families. We need to pray for proper use of resources to clean up this horrible mess and for a proper use of nature and keeping things in perspective. The Catholic culture and life perspectives must always be kept in balance that man is the steward of creation and that we live in proper balance with the environment. Life is precious, but human life is MOST precious and should always be kept in the forefront of our minds. May the Lord grant all of us the wisdom we need to discern the proper use of knowledge and stewardship of His creation.
Father M. Price Oswalt, K.C.H.S.
Shrine Rector