Lenten Oil

I read recently a small news item in the Christian Century (February 26, 2008 issue) about a campaign called "Less Oil for Lent" in which some churches in Harrisonburg, Virginia have been involved.  People in those churches have pledged to use less fossil fuel during Lent as an expression of concern for climate change and the war in Iraq, as well as to call attention to our use of oil in the United ates.  People in those churches were asked during Lent to make an effort to consume less oil by doing things like walking or riding a bike to church, eliminating or reducing the consumption of meat, turning down hot water heaters, or keeping homes in winter a few degrees cooler.

While we are well into Lent, perhaps this is an idea worthy of consideration for Holy Week this year for us.  What if this year we made a real, concerted effort during the week that begins on Palm Sunday to significantly reduce our consumption of oil?  Drive less, keep our homes a little cooler, eat more locally grown vegetables and fruits, eat less meat, be more mindful of lights being on in unused rooms of our houses, etc.     While attending carefully to our consumption of oil for one week might not significantly change the destruction of the environment, it might make us more aware of things we can do year round to care for God's creation.