Pedagogy of Togetherness, Transformation

Poetic symbols and imageries taken from nature play a significant role in the art of life. In the classical work of Mayoorasandesam, we come across several vivid imageries of nature. The paintings of Ajanta and Ellora are indeed classic examples of poetry written in human hearts for the posterity. They depict the throbbing of the human heart in vibrant symbols of nature with religious moorings. The vision of Isaiah, as recorded in Is.11:9, be fulfilled in all cultures. ". . . for earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea". In the Syriac liturgical traditions of the Church, there are several nature/cosmic symbols which speak to human hearts for a vision of oneness in God's order of creation. For example, in the St. James Liturgy, there is a prayer of praise to the Creator God: “. . . who is adored by the heavenly host, Sun and moon, and all the stars, the earth and seas and all that dwell there, Angels and archangels, thrones and powers, Cherubim and Seraphim, ever proclaiming . . .." In their praise, there is wonder and awe; “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty, heaven and earth are full of his glory; Hosanna in the highest! In worship service organized by the Adivasis /the Indigenous people of India, the formation of a mandala with the elements of the panchabootha evokes in us the intimate relationship between humans and nature. The milliondollar question is this. What are we doing to protect the earth and the elements of the universe with all their diversity? “Defending the earth is not a project, defending the earth is a way of life” for our corporate survival. This is indeed the challenge of the Lord's prayer. The "kingdom on earth” is conceived as the heaven on earth. So, we pray, "your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven". The ecological dimension of the prayer is to be affirmed in the mission agenda of the church.

In an era of economic globalization, there is a need to affirm environmental rights for the affirmation of life for all. It includes ‘the right to drink unpolluted water’. March 21 is being observed as the World Water Day. This is to speak of the universality of water for the wholeness of God’s creation. WCC’ s Ecumenical seminar programme under the title, “Water for Life – Seven Weeks for water2022” has raised umpteen questions for human solidarity. As water is life, polluting water is like killing life. The question before us is this: What can we do as the disciples of Christ to avoid or reduce water pollution in our area? How best we can co-operate with the people of all Faiths to listen to the cry of water pollution? The symbol of Life has become the symbol of Death in the world today due to our use of pesticides and other polluting substances.

The ordinary is sublime

All that we find in nature is the representation of the ordinary. Who can unravel the mystery of Niagara waterfalls? The glory of Mount Everest, the ever-flowing waters in the Holy River Ganges, and the nature marvels like the golden Aspen trees in the Colorado mountains (in the US) are shrouded in mystery. It is in gratitude and wonder, we become one in spirit. The poetic reflection of Khalil Gibran is worth recalling: “Tree is the poetry written by God in the sky.” A flute, which is made of a bamboo piece has only a few holes. In the hands of the Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu in the Indian mythology, it has become a symbol of the Creator's appreciation of the ordinary folks. The air that passes through its holes brings melodious songs. A greater appreciation of the ordinary alone will bring about social amity in the pluralist context of the world. Let loka samastha sukino bhavantu (let the whole world be happy and prosperous) be on our lips. Let us use more of the universal symbols like dove, earth, water, air, fragrance, leaves etc. in communicating the seen and the unseen.

Conclusion

Beauty and orderliness are the basic ingredients for human survival. As eco-artists, let us touch human hearts and make the people say, "we are birds of the same nest.” The words of the Chief of Seattle (of the American Indians, 1854) addressed to the Whites are worth recalling: “How can you buy and sell the sky, the warmth of the land? . . .The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood, which unites one family. Man does not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. Let us affirm with one voice that defending the earth is not a project; defending the earth is a way of life.”

*Revd Dr. M. J. Joseph: formerly, Professor of NT and Principal Mar Thoma Theological Seminary, Kottayam; Director of the Ecumenical Christian Center, Bangalore; Convener, Ecological Commission of the Mar Thoma Church.