Earth Day Means Caring for the People of the Earth, too

Today is Earth Day. Along with caring for earth's natural resources, we need to care for the people of the earth. We Catholic and Orthodox Christians just completed Lent. During this time, we give things up and sacrifice pleasures in imitation of Jesus's sufferings. Just because we're in the Easter feasting mode, doesn't mean we should forget Lenten virtues.

The Bible enjoins us to sacrificial giving year-round. Sacrificial giving isn't just giving of our excess. It's giving till it hurts to help someone else. Like Lenten fasting--it's giving up FOR someone else. We should feel the burn. That's how we know it's genuine. This is just a little example.

I gave up buying coffee shop coffee. Actually, I've cut down on all coffee. I love it, but the caffeine makes me jittery. Then I'm not very nice. Also, Starbucks (et al) is expensive. I save that money to give for hungry kids. I think I can do without a luxury, so children can have necessities.

At mass on Ash Wednesday, Father preached about how feeling temptation was integral to our Lenten journey. This year, that came home to me in a very personal way. I've noticed that I struggle more with temptation, sin, depression, even despair during Lent. I think that temptation, to drink coffee or indulge, is part of what makes giving sacrificial and meaningful. Read on.  How Temptation Makes for Better Lenten Fasting, Sacrifice 

Highland Estates Coffee Traders Vending Machines Sell Responibly Grown Coffee

Highland Estates Coffee Traders Vending Machines Sell Responsibly Grown Coffee
I don't like vending machines nor especially, vending machine coffee. In fact, rarely do I even like restaurant coffee. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that not only is Highland Estates Coffee Traders coffee delicious, it's also responsibly grown.
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Fair Trade Coffee: Higher Grounds

Jesus said, 'pay the worker the wage he is due. Do not cheat him out of his fair wage.' Every time I enjoy a cup of coffee lately, I feel a pricking of conscience. Is the coffee that I am enjoying grown under green conditions? Is it renewing or stripping the land? And most importantly, are the coffee plantation harvesters earning a fair wage? Are workers families thriving? Or as is more common, are the workers putting blood, sweat and tears into a job that does not sustain their families? Higher Grounds Coffee Company is a fair trade, shade-grown organic coffee that I drink and feel good about drinking. Read more...