I lift up my eyes toward the mountains; whence shall help come to me? My help is from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121: 1)
I got a great letter today from a reader of the GregBlog. I thought it would be a great idea to share it with you, realizing that sometimes my opinions don’t necessarily cover the “BIG Picture”. Enjoy the letter, and then see my response!
From a letter to the GregCast Sunday June 6, 2010...
Your sermon today was short sighted and focused only on the emotionally easy target… BP. Yep – easy to point a finger at Big Oil. No doubt they caused this accident and are not doing much to fix it and they likely will not care about the lasting damage… you really believe that?
But as long as you are jumping on Big Oil – why not jump on BIG Politics from environmentalist that make Big Oil drill in mile deep water where the ability to “fix” an accident is as easy as repairing something in space? Do you think the whole Gulf would be threatened as it is now if the accident had happened in 100 feet of water where access to the leak is easy? What about such a leak on land – perhaps Anwar – where maybe a few caribou may die (and a zillion mosquitoes)? But here we are – banished to drill way out at sea where the logistics of getting there are hard and then oil companies have to do everything by remote robots in pressures that are extreme (> 2,500 psi) at depts. Over a mile deep? Yep, no sin there.
Why not also jump on Big Government that had no plan of action other than hope the spill goes away, do photo ops and collect evidence for legal actions? They even disinvited one of the nation’s leading physicists to a brainstorming session because he was “anti-gay” - the unforgivable “PC” Cardinal Sin… never mind he is a top physicist and may have helped find a solution. Yep, our Government has no oil skid marks in their shorts.
Yep – BP made a mess and yep, it is ugly and yes, it will take decades to repair the environmental damages. But as Jesus also said, “Let the Bubba without sin, toss the first stone”.
Your vent was emotionally driven and only loaded with one kind of ammo… may want to rethink your parables.
The GregCast Response June 7, 2010...
First of all, I tend to only deal with emotions... I'm weak kneed like that. But your point about enough sin to go around is certainly valid, and the reason why they "had to drill" where they drilled is a perspective that I hadn't considered. So the next blog will have to be about BIG Government and their ability to muddle things up. If this is Obama's "Katrina", then he too is "reacting" to an issue that could have used MORE planning, and a more PROACTIVE.
I would propose that you got lost in the title of "Big Oil", because of the cliche that it brings. "Big Oil" = some Liberal who seeks to hate Dick Chenney, or George W. On the contrary, I was simply making the connection between the rich people and the poor widow, which was the actual Gospel at the daily Sat. Mass, and it was just too good of a connection. Even more perfect was the, albeit too emotional, connection in those who give everything verses those who give from the surplus. {I edited my response here as I eluded to some personal matters, and family ties}
Ultimately I was only trying to make the connection with the "Poor FIsherman" who has been FORCED to possibly give it all up because of Big Oil, and with your point well taken, Big Government seeking to place drills "where no one will see them".
Personally, I was entertained by Neil Bortz (sp?) who suggested a tactic that has worked well with underwater oil leaks in the former USSR. They take a low level NUKE to it, and the floor of the lake just turns to glass. POOF, no leak!
I guess I'm guilty of ignoring the every detail of these complex issues. I've always been guilty of over simplifying things, but my heart does go out to the folks down there, and it breaks when I see the mess. But let me point to the conclusion of the blog as to MY priority of this entry:
"The earth will readjust,and life will live on, but how we respond as a people will forever change the future of our humanity, and the way we respond with our wealth." [That is to say that the mess will be cleaned up by nature itself... God is bigger than Big Oil or Big Government. And that leaves the door open for which ever style of leadership you choose to do the right thing, to seek a balance of independence and support, and to be ready to assist others (and beaches) when they are in need.
Thanks for being one of the few readers I've got... I'm definitely not going "viral" any time soon with the whole GregCast thing. Its a labor of love and discipline as I seek to figure out the best way to share the Gospel, when the time comes for me to share. Your response, and your support, is a great learning curve for me, so keep punching! I'm gonna need the help!
Peace,
Greg
Showing posts with label oil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oil. Show all posts
Monday, June 7, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Big Oil and the Poor Little Fisherman
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12: 42-44)
Big Oil sucks! There. I said it! I wanted to put that in the title, but I felt it might be in poor taste. I got to thinking today, there’s a lot of angry people out there protesting at the British Petroleum (BP) Offices around the country, and even at the small little gas stations displaying those two letters on their logo, “B” and “P”. Being that BP is the source of the nations worse oil spill in history, anger is understood at time like this. I forget how many hundreds of millions of gallons of oil have already poured into the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, and I can’t imagine how many miles of beaches, marshes and wetlands will be forever tainted with its gooey mess. The fragile ecosystem is just that, FRAGILE. Its finely tuned balance will forever be immeasurably harmed because of the spill. One gentleman, quoted in the USA Today, sums it all up, “It makes me sick!”
With that said, I don’t want to be accused of ignoring the immensity of the damage done by this oil well, and its leaking into the Gulf. It’s just that today’s reading from the Gospel seems to offer a basis for what we’re dealing with here in human terms. Basically, Mark’s Gospel outlines the generosity of the Widow who gave her last cent as compared to the rich man who gave a miniscule portion of his wealth’s surplus. The connection between this Gospel Truth and the situation along the Gulf Coast is just too perfect!
While BP meets today with its Stockholders to reassure them that there’s plenty of money available to respond to this disaster, others are facing the loss of their whole way of life. First, we must not forget the reality that 11 people lost their lives in the original rig explosion. They have quietly been laid to rest in their hometowns in Texas, and their families will most surely forever be affected by this catastrophe! Another Vietnamese-American community in Buras, Louisiana is also affected. "Many of these people do not speak English, so they don't understand what kind of assistance is available, and they are scared," said Billy Nungesser, Plaquemines Parish president. "Just the other day, a 94-year-old fisherman, who has his wits about him and looks forward to taking his vessel into the marsh each day, said, 'Mr. Billy. Please help. What do I do?' I didn't know what to tell him." (LA Times May 7, 2010)
I recognize that BP is offering to foot the bill for it all, and yet their cost keeps mounting. I also recognize that they have untold wealth, and its their position that there is plenty of money to pay for this... So my prayers are with them, and their efforts to fix this terrible problem! Meanwhile, there are fishers all over the region forced to contribute all they have... Their entire livelihood! This of course is the lingering issue and the tragic part of the whole event... One that a “geeky blogger” like myself cannot fix sitting here at his computer!
So I’ll just conclude with this... God blesses those who give their all! It says so in the Gospel (above), and the Apostle Paul wrote about it to Timothy: “For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.” (2 Timothy 4: 6-8) To the people of the Gulf Coast, keep fighting, and keep praying. This is NOT a plague, and you do NOT deserve this! But you are the people strong enough to show the rest of the struggling world how to respond to challenges. You’ve teach us all what “family” can do as you continue to rebuild after Katrina, and you’ll lead the way in providing example, courage and tenacity as you call upon your community to help clean and protect this crucial part of our home.
The challenge for BP would be this. Are they willing to sacrifice their entire wealth to match the willingness of the many who are facing the loss of everything? That will be the measurement of their true worth. There are many folks dependent on BP these days, and the ripple effect of unintended consequences has never been more evident. But if they fight to the bitter end, and win this battle of oil vs. nature, and save a marsh, or a beach, or the livelihood of a Bayou La Batre fisherman and his family... We will all be a better people for it. The earth will readjust, and life will live on, but how we respond as a people will forever change the future of our humanity, and the way we respond with our wealth.
We must put away the anger, and match the generosity of the poor widow, and that poor fisherman somewhere on the Gulf Coast, looking to the sea with hope and promise of a new day!
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mark 12: 42-44)
Big Oil sucks! There. I said it! I wanted to put that in the title, but I felt it might be in poor taste. I got to thinking today, there’s a lot of angry people out there protesting at the British Petroleum (BP) Offices around the country, and even at the small little gas stations displaying those two letters on their logo, “B” and “P”. Being that BP is the source of the nations worse oil spill in history, anger is understood at time like this. I forget how many hundreds of millions of gallons of oil have already poured into the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, and I can’t imagine how many miles of beaches, marshes and wetlands will be forever tainted with its gooey mess. The fragile ecosystem is just that, FRAGILE. Its finely tuned balance will forever be immeasurably harmed because of the spill. One gentleman, quoted in the USA Today, sums it all up, “It makes me sick!”
With that said, I don’t want to be accused of ignoring the immensity of the damage done by this oil well, and its leaking into the Gulf. It’s just that today’s reading from the Gospel seems to offer a basis for what we’re dealing with here in human terms. Basically, Mark’s Gospel outlines the generosity of the Widow who gave her last cent as compared to the rich man who gave a miniscule portion of his wealth’s surplus. The connection between this Gospel Truth and the situation along the Gulf Coast is just too perfect!
While BP meets today with its Stockholders to reassure them that there’s plenty of money available to respond to this disaster, others are facing the loss of their whole way of life. First, we must not forget the reality that 11 people lost their lives in the original rig explosion. They have quietly been laid to rest in their hometowns in Texas, and their families will most surely forever be affected by this catastrophe! Another Vietnamese-American community in Buras, Louisiana is also affected. "Many of these people do not speak English, so they don't understand what kind of assistance is available, and they are scared," said Billy Nungesser, Plaquemines Parish president. "Just the other day, a 94-year-old fisherman, who has his wits about him and looks forward to taking his vessel into the marsh each day, said, 'Mr. Billy. Please help. What do I do?' I didn't know what to tell him." (LA Times May 7, 2010)
I recognize that BP is offering to foot the bill for it all, and yet their cost keeps mounting. I also recognize that they have untold wealth, and its their position that there is plenty of money to pay for this... So my prayers are with them, and their efforts to fix this terrible problem! Meanwhile, there are fishers all over the region forced to contribute all they have... Their entire livelihood! This of course is the lingering issue and the tragic part of the whole event... One that a “geeky blogger” like myself cannot fix sitting here at his computer!
So I’ll just conclude with this... God blesses those who give their all! It says so in the Gospel (above), and the Apostle Paul wrote about it to Timothy: “For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.” (2 Timothy 4: 6-8) To the people of the Gulf Coast, keep fighting, and keep praying. This is NOT a plague, and you do NOT deserve this! But you are the people strong enough to show the rest of the struggling world how to respond to challenges. You’ve teach us all what “family” can do as you continue to rebuild after Katrina, and you’ll lead the way in providing example, courage and tenacity as you call upon your community to help clean and protect this crucial part of our home.
The challenge for BP would be this. Are they willing to sacrifice their entire wealth to match the willingness of the many who are facing the loss of everything? That will be the measurement of their true worth. There are many folks dependent on BP these days, and the ripple effect of unintended consequences has never been more evident. But if they fight to the bitter end, and win this battle of oil vs. nature, and save a marsh, or a beach, or the livelihood of a Bayou La Batre fisherman and his family... We will all be a better people for it. The earth will readjust, and life will live on, but how we respond as a people will forever change the future of our humanity, and the way we respond with our wealth.
We must put away the anger, and match the generosity of the poor widow, and that poor fisherman somewhere on the Gulf Coast, looking to the sea with hope and promise of a new day!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Impulse!
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14: 27)
Easter Day #31: Impulse!
Have you ever had to act on your gut instinct? How did it go? Did you succeed? Did it turn out better than you thought? Did you fail? Did it hurt? What did you learn?
Answers to questions like these are definitely the building blocks of a spiritual journey, for walking a path of faith always requires that you act on an IMPULSE from time to time. Yes, there are plans to be made, and recipes to follow in life, but every now and then our faith requires us to go with our gut IMPULSE. We’ve all heard the phrase, “it just felt like the right thing to do at the time.”
There’s an inherent risk in going with your gut, and that is what makes it likely that there will be hardships ahead. But when you act on an IMPULSE that is rooted in a life of Christ, you tend to do the right thing more often than not. We have been promised that the “Peace of Christ” has been left with us to use and to share in our own journey. Some choose to embody this peace, while others put it on a shelf and retrieve it when needed. Still others, take it for granted, and never really add it to their routines at all. To the ones who embody it, their IMPULSE is most certainly one of peace. To the ones who retrieve it, the IMPULSE may or may not be peaceful, depending on whether or not there is time to remember “to get it off the shelf”. To the ones who ignore it, the IMPULSE is most certainly uncertain at best.
May the peace of our Lord be with you always!
Let us act on an IMPULSE and pray for the currents, coastline, wildlife, and people of the Gulf Region. There is an oil slick still being fed by a leak that needs fixing. The north wind is doing its part today to keep things off shore, but we are facing a potential environmental catastrophe that calls us to act. If your IMPULSE is to pray, then pray! If it is to collect degreasing soap and rags to send to the coast so that they are ready to respond, then collect! If you have no IMPULSE to do anything, then please consider re-reading this post, and try one of the two options listed here. Thanks!
Easter Day #31: Impulse!
Have you ever had to act on your gut instinct? How did it go? Did you succeed? Did it turn out better than you thought? Did you fail? Did it hurt? What did you learn?
Answers to questions like these are definitely the building blocks of a spiritual journey, for walking a path of faith always requires that you act on an IMPULSE from time to time. Yes, there are plans to be made, and recipes to follow in life, but every now and then our faith requires us to go with our gut IMPULSE. We’ve all heard the phrase, “it just felt like the right thing to do at the time.”
There’s an inherent risk in going with your gut, and that is what makes it likely that there will be hardships ahead. But when you act on an IMPULSE that is rooted in a life of Christ, you tend to do the right thing more often than not. We have been promised that the “Peace of Christ” has been left with us to use and to share in our own journey. Some choose to embody this peace, while others put it on a shelf and retrieve it when needed. Still others, take it for granted, and never really add it to their routines at all. To the ones who embody it, their IMPULSE is most certainly one of peace. To the ones who retrieve it, the IMPULSE may or may not be peaceful, depending on whether or not there is time to remember “to get it off the shelf”. To the ones who ignore it, the IMPULSE is most certainly uncertain at best.
May the peace of our Lord be with you always!
Let us act on an IMPULSE and pray for the currents, coastline, wildlife, and people of the Gulf Region. There is an oil slick still being fed by a leak that needs fixing. The north wind is doing its part today to keep things off shore, but we are facing a potential environmental catastrophe that calls us to act. If your IMPULSE is to pray, then pray! If it is to collect degreasing soap and rags to send to the coast so that they are ready to respond, then collect! If you have no IMPULSE to do anything, then please consider re-reading this post, and try one of the two options listed here. Thanks!
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