"LAUDATO SI" AND THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing. ( Psalm 65: 11-13)
At the heart of ‘Laudato si’ we find this question: “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (cf. No. 160). Pope Francis continues: “This question does not have to do with the environment alone and in isolation; the issue cannot be approached piecemeal”. This leads us to ask ourselves about the meaning of existence and its values at the base of social life: “What is the purpose of our life in this world? Why are we here? What is the goal of our work and all our efforts? What need does the earth have of us? ” Unless we struggle with these deeper issues – says the Pope – I do not believe that our concern for ecology will produce significant results.
It is clear that, after Laudato si’, the examination of conscience (the instrument that the Church has always recommended to orient one’s life by reflection on one’s lived relationship with the Lord) should include a new dimension. One would regularly review, not only how one has lived in communion with God, with others and with oneself, but also with all creatures and with nature.
Love for creation, however, cannot obscure the “pre-eminence” of the human person, and at times “more zeal is shown in protecting other species than in defending the dignity which all human beings share in equal measure”. “A sense of deep communion with the rest of nature cannot be real if our hearts lack tenderness, compassion and concern for our fellow human beings”. Care for the natural world is fine as long as we do not ignore our brothers and sisters who are suffering. These two concerns are related: “when our hearts are authentically open to universal communion, this sense of fraternity excludes nothing and no one. It follows that our indifference or cruelty towards fellow creatures of this world sooner or later affects the treatment we mete out to other human beings” (cf. No. 90-92).
Although science and technology “can produce important means of improving the quality of human life,” they have also “given those with the knowledge, and especially the economic resources to use them, an impressive dominance over the whole of humanity and the entire world.” Francis says we are enthralled with a technocratic paradigm, which promises unlimited growth. But this paradigm “is based on the lie that there is an infinite supply of the earth’s goods, and this leads to the planet being squeezed dry beyond every limit.”
As “the order of God’s love”, creation is in further need of development, and that demands the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and human cooperation, as well as our creativity and the ingenuity that is often evident in the sciences (cf. No.77-81). As people in relationship and subjects who are co-creators, we are called to treat other living beings as subjects to be encountered, not objects to be dominated or controlled.
Lord Jesus died for you and for me, to restore man to the state he was created. What are you doing to participate in this restoration? May the work of man not disfigure the created order but enhance it. And this is what it means to Alleluia people!!
To Be Continued…
Mary, Vessel of Honor, Pray for us!!
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