And it does not mean that communities would become isolated. Indeed, modern communication technologies make it possible to share ideas, culture and art without a great deal of movement of goods. A New Oikonomia C reating a new oikonomia a new way of caring for the household of the Earth is a challenging endeavour. Yet there are many concrete steps that can be taken toward its creation. To move in this direction will take imagination, creativity and commitment.
P erhaps a first step is to re-establish our own connections to the Earth.
Only love for the Earth a love born of a deep empathy for all creatures who share this planet with us can truly sustain us in our action. The wisdom we need to weave a true oikonomia can only be the fruit of a deep and abiding love. F aith communities could become places where we learn this deep and abiding love. To do so, we must first overcome our spiritual autism, and learn to listen to the voices of the Earth. W e also need to begin to build the new oikonomia at local levels, incarnating the vision as an inspiration to others.