Sister Joan Brown: Will we allow the spiritual wisdom of the young to lead us?
Following is an excerpt of an opinion piece that Sister Joan Brown, executive director of New Mexico and El Paso Region Interfaith Power & Light wrote in the Gallup Independent.
“..while sometimes we feel despair heavy in the air from many fronts we also see around us signs of hope and spiritual wisdom to guide us. I believe our young people are great partners in our great spiritual work we are given in this time – to address climate justice and care Our Common Home.”
The young, who in recent years have strongly urged us to act, will only inherit the planet we choose to leave to them, based on the concrete choices we make today. – Pope Francis’ written message to world leaders at COP26, Nov. 2, 2021 The UN Glasgow climate meetings that just ended hold only a few bright spots of action forward to limit carbon reductions to address harm already happening. One of those lights that cannot be missed is the engagement of young people from around the world.
But, the question remains, will the world listen to the spiritual wisdom of the younger generations to care for Our Common Home and all living beings whose lives are at stake?
Young people of many faith traditions were present the last two weeks in Glasgow and their pleas to reduce carbon by phasing out fossil fuels were heard in the streets and halls of the conference. Their words and banners focused on “loss and damage,” care for the forests, and hearing the voices of the most vulnerable countries and peoples.
Listening to their presentations to world leaders and the many videos they created and prayer services they spoke at, I was reminded of Jesus and the children. He commanded the disciples, the leaders around him, to “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kindom of heaven belongs to such as these.”