There are some amazing stories emerging and I am sure more to follow as humans on the planet practice self isolation, social distancing, working from home, etc. Bird song is at new levels in city settings. Animals are coming into urban habitats abandoned some time ago. There is even less seismic movement generated by all the things that normally move on the earth.
The Year of Jubilee as described in the book of Leviticus, Chapter 25 calls for forgiveness of incurred debt, release of indentured slaves and their children, not planting crops and letting land lie fallow, at rest. It is hard to determine how many times this Jubilee was practiced but the idea is generous: give the earth a rest, people should not be held captive by debt forever and trust that the abundant Creator will sustain you even when you don’t plant a crop or wring every last dime from an investment.
The earth is speaking to us in a very powerful voice in these Covid days. Can we be attentive enough, humble enough, trusting enough, to pursue a more sensitive and responsible use of this gift, our good and beautiful Earth?