I am enjoying The Sacred Universe by Thomas Berry edited by Mary Evelyn Tucker. He thinks we need a new era, Ecozoic Era, in which we pay much more attention to the needs of the Earth. He believes we should be much more in tune with every element of the Universe and that the covenant in Jewish and Christian scriptures Included Earth and all its creatures. This reminds me of two things I read recently. One is an article in the September 12, 2016 issue of The New Yorker, titled “The Secret Life of Plants: The green – juice generation finds its drug of choice,” by Ariel Levy. The article describes the use of a hallucinogenic drug called ayahuasca. Users may have either a good trip or a bad trip. When it is good the user feels a unity with their higher self; but the majority of users become nauseated and vomit or worse. People with high blood pressure or on antidepressants should not take the drug. Some enthusiasts think that the plants used in the mixture talk to them with the message that we are all one and have a sensation of harmony and interconnection with the Universe. A second item that I read was Adam Shield’s review of NT Wright’s book, SIMPLY GOOD NEWS: Why the Gospel Is News and What Makes It Good. He says Wright is emphasizing that the gospel is more than individual salvation. The covenant ushered in by Jesus has more to do with creating God’s kingdom here on earth, reminding me of the picture of the Peaceable Kingdom with all creatures living in harmony.