A compilation from a PSN Newsletter Feature which selects a quote from Laudato Si', offers reflective questions and suggests simple actions.
One | Preventing Self Destruction.
“God is intimately present to each being, without impinging on the autonomy of his creature, and this gives rise to the rightful autonomy of earthly affairs. ... Creating a world in need of development, God in some way sought to limit Himself in such a way that many of the things we think of as evils, dangers or sources of suffering, are in reality part of the pains of childbirth which He uses to draw us into the act of cooperation with the Creator.” (Laudato Si par 80)
Question: As Fr. Ray Sanchez CP asks in his recent post, "'She (the Church) must above all protect mankind from self-destruction.' This remarkable statement caught my attention on re-reading Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si. He was quoting Pope Benedict (XVI)’s encyclical, Caritas in Veritate. It is remarkable to me because I had never considered this to be ‘the’ primary mission of the Church – to save humanity from itself. Wow!" How can we save the world without arrogance and megalomania and instead become a part of the pains of birthing with God's creation?
Actions:
Question: As Fr. Ray Sanchez CP asks in his recent post, "'She (the Church) must above all protect mankind from self-destruction.' This remarkable statement caught my attention on re-reading Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si. He was quoting Pope Benedict (XVI)’s encyclical, Caritas in Veritate. It is remarkable to me because I had never considered this to be ‘the’ primary mission of the Church – to save humanity from itself. Wow!" How can we save the world without arrogance and megalomania and instead become a part of the pains of birthing with God's creation?
Actions:
- Read Fr. Ray's essay here.
- Reflect and pray about COVID 19 while considering the awesome gift of interconnectedness. Read this piece from NCR.
Two | Hope and Joy.
"In the meantime, we come together to take charge of this home which has been entrusted to us, knowing that all the good which exists here will be taken up into the heavenly feast. In union with all creatures, we journey through this land seeking God, for “if the world has a beginning and if it has been created, we must enquire who gave it this beginning, and who was its Creator”. Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope. [244]
"I do not want to write this Encyclical without turning to that attractive and compelling figure, whose name I took as my guide and inspiration when I was elected Bishop of Rome. I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. He is the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology, and he is also much loved by non-Christians. ...He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace. [10]
Hope and joy are among the central themes of Laudato Si'
Question: How can we reclaim the right and blessing of hope when it comes God's creation, in the face of a barrage of depressing news?
Homework and Actions:
"I do not want to write this Encyclical without turning to that attractive and compelling figure, whose name I took as my guide and inspiration when I was elected Bishop of Rome. I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. He is the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology, and he is also much loved by non-Christians. ...He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace. [10]
Hope and joy are among the central themes of Laudato Si'
Question: How can we reclaim the right and blessing of hope when it comes God's creation, in the face of a barrage of depressing news?
Homework and Actions:
- Read this article by a young person who refuses to give up the right to hope. and that "Hope is not a happy accident. Hope is a right we must protect."
- Do some forest bathing
- Read "Dont Hesitate" by Mary Oliver.
Three | Where is our treasure?
“Efforts to promote a sustainable use of natural resources are not a waste of money, but rather an investment capable of providing other economic benefits in the medium term. If we look at the larger picture, we can see that more diversified and innovative forms of production which impact less on the environment can prove very profitable. It is a matter of openness to different possibilities which do not involve stifling human creativity and its ideals of progress, but rather directing that energy along new channels.” (Laudato Si' 191)
Adopting a long-term view is extremely relevant to institutional investors who must assure the financial durability of their institutions for time periods measured in decades, even centuries, rather than merely the upcoming quarter year. Pope Francis asks that caring for ecosystems demands far-sightedness, since no one looking for quick and easy profit is truly interested in their preservation. We can be silent witnesses to terrible injustices if we think that we can obtain significant benefits by making the rest of humanity, present and future, pay the extremely high costs of environmental deterioration.(Laudato Si' 36)
In a TED talk from Pope Francis, we hear about the moral imperative to act on climate change using our investments. "One way to encourage this change is to lead businesses towards the urgent need to commit themselves to the integral care of our common home, excluding from investments those companies that do not meet the parameters of integral ecology, while rewarding those that work concretely, during this transitional phase, to put, at the center of their activities, sustainability, social justice and the promotion of the common good." View the six minute video here.
Covid, the world that emerges needs mature roots - This video with Martin Palmer from Britain, CEO of FaithInvest, a group that creates bridges between the religious and financial worlds makes a case that sustainable socially responsible investment is essential. View the short video and interview here.
Adopting a long-term view is extremely relevant to institutional investors who must assure the financial durability of their institutions for time periods measured in decades, even centuries, rather than merely the upcoming quarter year. Pope Francis asks that caring for ecosystems demands far-sightedness, since no one looking for quick and easy profit is truly interested in their preservation. We can be silent witnesses to terrible injustices if we think that we can obtain significant benefits by making the rest of humanity, present and future, pay the extremely high costs of environmental deterioration.(Laudato Si' 36)
- Do you think about the "good" in the investments we make personally and through our organizations?
- Do you struggle to see the connections between our financial investments and the state of the world in general?
In a TED talk from Pope Francis, we hear about the moral imperative to act on climate change using our investments. "One way to encourage this change is to lead businesses towards the urgent need to commit themselves to the integral care of our common home, excluding from investments those companies that do not meet the parameters of integral ecology, while rewarding those that work concretely, during this transitional phase, to put, at the center of their activities, sustainability, social justice and the promotion of the common good." View the six minute video here.
Covid, the world that emerges needs mature roots - This video with Martin Palmer from Britain, CEO of FaithInvest, a group that creates bridges between the religious and financial worlds makes a case that sustainable socially responsible investment is essential. View the short video and interview here.
Four | Commitment to Defend.
"Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home. Here I want to recognize, encourage and thank all those striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we share" (paragraph 13)
Pope Francis gives appreciations for the many millions who work hard every day to show real care and love for our home. Some of them, as part of their life's work and others as their passion and calling. Some of them have lost their lives for this work.
The Challenge:
Pope Francis gives appreciations for the many millions who work hard every day to show real care and love for our home. Some of them, as part of their life's work and others as their passion and calling. Some of them have lost their lives for this work.
The Challenge:
- Have you been called to "do something" to connect the dots in your own life with Pope Francis' strong advocacy in Laudato Si'?
- Who could you thank in some way for their commitment?
Five | An Inner Peace.
“Inner peace is closely related to care for ecology and for the common good because, lived out authentically, it is reflected in a balanced lifestyle together with a capacity for wonder which takes us to a deeper understanding of life.” (no. 225)
“The God who created the universe out of nothing can also intervene in this world and overcome every form of evil. Injustice is not invincible.” (no. 74)
“We must not think that these efforts are not going to change the world.” (no. 212)
Questions: In the face of vast challenges, why does our faith call us to hope? How can we act to live out God’s vision for healed and renewed relationships with God, self, others and creation?
Action: Reflect and record your response on paper. Put your response in a place you will see it. Revisit and revise it during times you feel overwhelmed with the news of injustice and environmental crisis.
“The God who created the universe out of nothing can also intervene in this world and overcome every form of evil. Injustice is not invincible.” (no. 74)
“We must not think that these efforts are not going to change the world.” (no. 212)
Questions: In the face of vast challenges, why does our faith call us to hope? How can we act to live out God’s vision for healed and renewed relationships with God, self, others and creation?
Action: Reflect and record your response on paper. Put your response in a place you will see it. Revisit and revise it during times you feel overwhelmed with the news of injustice and environmental crisis.
Six | Interconnections: COVID19.
“Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.” (no. 91)
“A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. (no. 49)
Question: Integral ecology links care for people and care for God’s creation. How is our concern for our fellow human beings connected to our concern for the environment?
Action: Learn about connecting COVID 19 and climate change
First read this article from Time Magazine from March of 2020, when COVID-19 first emerged and many in the climate world feared efforts to address the pandemic would distract from efforts to address climate change.
Now, from a recent article from Time: "It’s a remarkable turnaround. Today, climate advocates are arguing that the two need to be addressed hand in hand. This change is in part practical: leaders in many developing countries will understandably remain focused on the pandemic rather than climate change if their on-the-ground situation doesn’t improve. And, with the November UN climate summit in Glasgow fast approaching, the situation on the ground may need to change quickly to give officials adequate time to prepare."
“A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. (no. 49)
Question: Integral ecology links care for people and care for God’s creation. How is our concern for our fellow human beings connected to our concern for the environment?
Action: Learn about connecting COVID 19 and climate change
First read this article from Time Magazine from March of 2020, when COVID-19 first emerged and many in the climate world feared efforts to address the pandemic would distract from efforts to address climate change.
Now, from a recent article from Time: "It’s a remarkable turnaround. Today, climate advocates are arguing that the two need to be addressed hand in hand. This change is in part practical: leaders in many developing countries will understandably remain focused on the pandemic rather than climate change if their on-the-ground situation doesn’t improve. And, with the November UN climate summit in Glasgow fast approaching, the situation on the ground may need to change quickly to give officials adequate time to prepare."
Seven | Prayer and Practice.
“The universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely. Hence, there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail, in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s face. The ideal is not only to pass from the exterior to the interior to discover the action of God in the soul, but also to discover God in all things.” (Paragraph 233) Laudato Si', Pope Francis, 2015, Chapter 4, #144.
Question: As you prayerfully move through your days, has your practice ever once centered the astounding gift of creation in that process?
Action: If you haven’t already, we invite you to pray the Novena of Creation from the Sisters of St. Joseph in Toronto. Scroll down the page a bit.
Question: As you prayerfully move through your days, has your practice ever once centered the astounding gift of creation in that process?
Action: If you haven’t already, we invite you to pray the Novena of Creation from the Sisters of St. Joseph in Toronto. Scroll down the page a bit.
Eight | Water.
"One particularly serious problem is the quality of water available to the poor. Every day, unsafe water results in many deaths and the spread of water-related diseases, including those caused by microorganisms and chemical substances. Dysentery and cholera, linked to inadequate hygiene and water supplies, are a significant cause of suffering and of infant mortality. Underground water sources in many places are threatened by the pollution produced in certain mining, farming and industrial activities, especially in countries lacking adequate regulation or controls. It is not only a question of industrial waste. Detergents and chemical products, commonly used in many places of the world, continue to pour into our rivers, lakes and seas. [29]
Question: What can I do as an individual or family? What can we do as a community, parish or institution?
Homework and Actions:
Question: What can I do as an individual or family? What can we do as a community, parish or institution?
Homework and Actions:
- Find your action from the Ecology Action Center in Normal Illinois
- Sometimes we are all "little ones." Watch this children's book below, We are Water Protectors being read. Follow up by reading the calls to action from the book and what water means to indigenous people.
Nine | Listen to all the wisdoms.
"In this sense, it is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions. They are not merely one minority among others, but should be the principal dialogue partners, especially when large projects affecting their land are proposed. For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there, a sacred space with which they need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values. When they remain on their land, they themselves care for it best. Nevertheless, in various parts of the world, pressure is being put on them to abandon their homelands to make room for agricultural or mining projects which are undertaken without regard for the degradation of nature and culture." [146]
"True wisdom, as the fruit of self-examination, dialogue and generous encounter between persons, is not acquired by a mere accumulation of data which eventually leads to overload and confusion, a sort of mental pollution. [47]
"Indigenous peoples, however, are not mere victims of climate change. Comprising only four per cent of the worlds population (between 250 to 300 million people), they utilize 22 per cent of the world’s land surface. In doing so, they maintain 80 per cent of the planet’s biodiversity in, or adjacent to, 85 per cent of the world’s protected areas." (see the article below)
Question: What "facts on the ground" are we unaware of when it comes to climate change?
Homework and Actions:
"True wisdom, as the fruit of self-examination, dialogue and generous encounter between persons, is not acquired by a mere accumulation of data which eventually leads to overload and confusion, a sort of mental pollution. [47]
"Indigenous peoples, however, are not mere victims of climate change. Comprising only four per cent of the worlds population (between 250 to 300 million people), they utilize 22 per cent of the world’s land surface. In doing so, they maintain 80 per cent of the planet’s biodiversity in, or adjacent to, 85 per cent of the world’s protected areas." (see the article below)
Question: What "facts on the ground" are we unaware of when it comes to climate change?
Homework and Actions:
- Read COP26 urges partnership between religious, Indigenous leaders to save planet
- Read this 2011 article from the UN University. Why Traditional Knowledge Holds the Key to Climate Change.
- Send a check to the young leaders at Indigenous Climate Action and follow their work.