Saints for our current times series - S.O.G. Black Elk, Patron saint of Protecting our national Parks

SAINTS FOR OUR TIMES SERIES

While I believe every Saint has written or done something that is still relevant for today, there are a few that have words or actions that can most directly show us a path or shed light on the choices we must make in our chaotic and dark times, especially here in the US. They remind us that not everything is unprecedented, and we can look to their examples. So many of us feel we must do something - read about these Saints to challenge your ideas or seek guidance.

These will be posted once per week for the foreseeable future, with reflection questions, donation options, action items, and saint info and quotes: like an expanded version of our current saint feast day format.

These posts would be great to discuss at your church’s Sunday School or study group, social studies or religion classrooms, or to journal about on your own. If you have suggestions for future posts, feel free to email us.

"The Holy Land is everywhere"

"Peace will come to the hearts of men when they realize their oneness with the universe."

- Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk

About Nicholas Black Elk:

Black Elk was born as part of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe. when he was a young boy, he had a striking vision about becoming a healer and a voice for his people. As the colonizers pushed their way into his family’s land and he witnessed many battles and massacres, he became well-respected in his community for his leadership.

When the reservation he lived on continued to have land stolen by the U.S. government and suffered famine and disease.

Black Elk revived Indigenous practices that had been outlawed to foster community, a sense of identity, and hope. he remained on the reservation to teach both the Lakota and outsiders about their culture. 

Reflect:

- There are so many saints who have had connections to nature, described God with allusions to nature, or felt God’s presence most while in nature. How could we separate God from creation? 

- how could we turn a blind eye to protecting creation?

- Land itself means so much more than the nature it holds, Black Elk’s efforts to protect the land of his family  were efforts to save heritage, memories, a sense of home, education, food  systems, ecosystems, a sense of safety and self-determination, and so much more. In the U.S., our National Parks are one place that can provide many of these things for us. What do we have if these are lost? What else could we be as proud of, or able to marvel at?

- As Christians, we are not only called to be stewards of creation, but also to love people and care for their needs. The elimination, destruction, and/ or neglect of natural resources and areas of nature DIRECTLY impacts every person on this planet, especialy the most vulnerable. If you cannot find it within yourself to care about living  beings other than humans, this is still a huge problem. The effects of this destruction are already being felt on a dramatic scale. What kind of earth do you want to leave your grandchildren?  

Donate:

SoulFire Farm

Soul Fire Farm is an Afro-Indigenous centered community farm and training center dedicated to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system.

With deep reverence for the Earth and wisdom of our ancestors, we practice regenerative3 agroecology, raise and distribute life-giving food, equip the rising generation of BIPOC farmers, and mobilize communities to work toward food and land sovereignty.

The National Park Service

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 318 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.

We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close-to-home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.

Do:

- Think about  land that holds meaning for you. Journal about  what your senses , mind, and imagination experience while there.

- write letters, protest, or share information about your desire to save funding for the national parks and keep our natural resources safe.

- spend time in your favorite outdor spot or with your favorite animal(s). What can you learn here?

- Read the books that were written from conversations with Black Elk.

- Create something from all-natural materials that reminds you of your call to care for the Earth around you.

- What physical actions can you take to support and enrich a park or natural space in your community?

Servant of God Black Elk, Pray for our National Parks and Natural Resources.