Summer has arrived in Portugal, and these warm months bring some concern regarding fires in the country's forest area. We can all contribute to the preservation of forests, through our behavior when we have barbecues, what we do with the garbage or even smoking in forests and throwing cigarrets on the floor. Moreover, we can contribute by allerting the authorities when we see a fire in a forest area. We can do this by calling 117 or 112. Let's take care of Portugal together!

One area that we believe we should not ignore is in respect to the environment and our Creation Mandate. The stewardship of our planetary home has become a big issue globally, and one that should not be ignored by the Church. The earth was given to us by God. He commanded us to take care of it because everything He created was very good! Genesis 1:27-31 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over … (everything) … And God said, Behold, I have given you every (thing) … And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good…. " (KJV).

As stewards we have a responsibility to 'look after' God's creation, and by setting a good example we will be paving the way for others, to want to follow. He gave us free will, he gave us the responsibility for looking after the earth, and in doing so, he gave us the power to turn our backs on our duty if we wish. One day we will all be accountable to God, and he might just ask us what we did with His creation. He, as Creator, has a right and the freedom to build up and tear down, to create and to terminate; we as the Creation do not! Our mandate is to protect, to nurture, to care for, and to love what the Lord has given to us (read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 in this context!). Nobody will think of harming or destroying their own body, yet many think nothing of destroying their planet. Everyone looks after their small individual houses; few take care of our bigger corporate home.