Do You Believe in Lazarus?

Do you believe in Lazarus? Do you believe a dead man can be resurrected?


Does it matter?


It might.


That was one of the refrains that I heard while watching Marilyn Campbell's and Curt Columbus's adaptation of Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

In this season of Lent and while looking toward Easter, it's not surprising that I tuned into that refrain. As I sat in the theater listening to Raskolnikov arguing with his conscience, watching as he struggled in every way possible with his soul -- tipping so precariously on the cusp of redemption -- I was reminded of who we are as a people, as a global community guilty of the slow death of the planet, death of the people on this planet, death of the trees and birds and all other creatures inhabiting this earth. Do we believe that we can be redeemed and rise again? Or perhaps, can we redeem ourselves and help the earth to "rise again"?

There's no ambiguity about our guilt, our culpability, in the earth's slow destruction. We've had a hand in destroying the planet. Not only have we had a hand in it, we've thrown our full force behind it -- not ust individuals but also (or more so) whole corporations and companies ganging up on the poor planet. We've perfected the art of killing. In fact, we are doing it now with little effort. We may not have killed a pawnbroker like Roskolnikov did, but we've taken an ax to the forests, oceans, mountains, valleys, icebergs, plains, etc.

And I'm not sure that we are doing all these things in pursuit of a higher purpose. Are we?

If we believe that something dead can be brought back to life, if we have faith in the power of resurrection, if we trust in the resurrecting power of Community, then we can change what is happening now and reverse the negative effects on the environment. Take a look at the different groups that are now populating the internet to provide us information and suggestions on how to live green. Take a look at the churches and different faith communities that are taking action in hopes of reviving, regenerating the earth. Take a look at the countries that are taking part in the global effort to heal the world and build a better place to live. (I can link you to some samples, but what if you went in search of them yourself? Make an educational experience out of it for your kids, even. But, if you need recommendations, let me know in the Comments section. Or, if you'd like, recommend some sites for other readers to research and explore. If in CA, I do suggest that you check this out, though.)

If you believe in Lazarus, and if you believe that life can be brought back, you can make a big difference because the planet is not yet dead. We have much hope. Struggle with your conscience, but also start by turning off running water when washing hands, or changing the lightbulb on your lamp. Carpool, bike, or walk. If you must drive, drive a hybrid. Start composting. Write to your congressional leaders urging them to pass bills that support green energy. Invest in companies that care about sustainable development. Talk to your children about being green. Join an advocacy group. Donate some money. Plant a tree. There's so much to do...

God, help our unbelief...