Mary Mother of the Church

Catholic Parish Ivanhoe

 

Parish Climate action Group

Archbishop Desmond Tutu said: “do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

We know where we are - in lockdown - so what can we do to “overwhelm the world”? Let’s rejoice in spring – there is a cornucopia of sensual delights to overwhelm us, reminding us of how much we want to protect the planet for our children.

Look at the blossoms, the flowers. Smell them and dream of the apricots and plums to come. Listen to the birds at dawn, excitedly attracting each other and building nests. An unprincipled magpie sits in my hanging basket pulling out coconut fibre for her nest. She wakes me at dawn with her carolling

What a privilege to watch through my bedroom window, this not-so-furtive theft. To save carbon miles, we are told to buy local – finally it’s time to splurge on strawberries that are inexpensive (boxed in cardboard at Aldi) and on asparagus once more in season. Within 5k are lots of local parks, the Yarra or the Darebin creek winding through many of them and the sun on trees and water is ever-twinkling bringing sheer delight. Feel the sun on your back as you watch fellow citizens on foot, bike or scooter.

I love the little children whose tiny legs propel those scooters with unbelievable dexterity. If I build up my love of the world, I gather motivation to save it for these children by doing my little bit of good even within my 5k and I hope that together we can do our bit to overwhelm the forces of climate change in our world.