Dr. Agnes S. Thomas

“Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?” Ezekiel 34:18

My most recent trip to Kerala, India, was thought-provoking on multiple levels. I experienced moments of pure joy and inspiration with instances of disappointment and discouragement. For this reflection, I plan to delve deeper into the themes that resonated strongly with me during this trip, particularly in the context of my work in community development.
The first theme I wish to explore is stewardship, specifically focusing on the environment and linking it to the often-overlooked human-centred stewardship.
The degradation and destruction of the environment impact everyone; however, as we all know, it impacts some more than others, further disfranchising those who are already at the margins.
As a nature walker and lover of mountains and water, I felt lucky enough to be closer to both during this trip. But this time, I found the water, our source of life, too polluted and dirty to take a dip: the culmination of sewage flowing into water streams and individuals indiscriminately disposing of garbage, plastic debris, and various items that do not belong in the water. Despite these issues not being new to anyone who observes, the indifference to the destruction of a vital source of life is disconcerting. Many residents living near the water, despite constructing expensive homes with flood protection, collectively show a lack of concern for the contamination of the river and the water stream in front of their homes, contributing to the pollution with additional garbage. Is it ignorance, a lack of understanding, or a self-centredness? I am not experienced enough to state the cause of this indifference. However, it remains perplexing to me that despite maintaining pristine homes and properties, they show little concern for the degradation of the water bodies right at their doorstep. Pope Francis’s encyclical, ‘Laudato Si ‘not only discusses this as a global problem but also calls for critical action; he points out, “One particularly serious problem is the quality of water available to the poor. Every day, unsafe water results in many deaths and the spread of water-related diseases, including those caused by microorganisms and chemical substances”. (Pope Francis, Laudatio Si, Ch.1, Para. 29)*
When we think about stewardship, humans and the earth should be working in communion to keep the balance and vitality of our existence. This notion can be applied to individuals who are displaced or marginalized due to various factors. It is necessary to impose safeguards that ensure they are least affected by decisions made by those capable of assuming the role of community stewards. In the above example, people who cannot afford to pay for water from external sources depend on unusable water for their daily consumption. This situation underscores a notable lack of concern and consideration for human well-being and environmental health, amplifying vulnerability on both fronts. The question arises: whose responsibility is it to address these issues, and where should we initiate meaningful change?
Caring for the Earth is our foremost responsibility and calling as co-creators of this world. Neglecting this duty is akin to self-destruction, and it’s selfish to limit responsibility only to personal gains. We can foster change by incorporating environmental discussions into daily life, setting examples for our children and communities, devising creative waste solutions, involving local officials and politicians, and integrating these issues into school curriculums. Recognizing the link between poverty, inequality, and the environment is a vital starting point for both meaningful exchange and change. Individual commitment is key to influencing collective action and addressing the urgent challenges of environmental degradation and injustice.
We can all become our neighbours’ keepers by looking out for each other and the resources entrusted to our common care, like water, land, etc. As scripture suggests, we can be stewards of our common home (Gene.2:15).
Choosing to be good neighbours and stewards of nature is a tangible path to diminishing global inequality and inequity. This conscious effort will bring balance and facilitate healing at the ‘root’ in ways that extend beyond our imagination.