Do you recall the iconic trumpeter and crooner Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, who sang these memorable words some fifty years ago?
“I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”
This simple, inspiring song is a marvelous meditation on God’s gift of creation; charged with beauty, grandeur and greatness. May we cherish it, ever vigilant for its welfare.
Three short years ago, our Holy Father Pope Francis visited the United States. In that same year, prior to his visit, he promulgated a new encyclical, “Laudato Si’.” An encyclical is a pastoral letter from the pope to all God’s people.
Pope Francis asks: “What is the purpose of our life in this world? 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, I do not believe that our concern for ecology will produce significant results.”
This Encyclical takes its title from the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, “Canticle of the Creatures.” St. Francis, patron saint of animals, (1181/82 – 1226), whose feast we celebrate this day, begins his invocation with these words: “Laudato Si’, mi Signore, per fra sole … Be praised, my Lord, for brother sun.” In hindsight, it is no wonder that our Holy Father assumed the name of St. Francis of Assisi at the time of his papal election.
While reflecting on this prayer; Pope Francis reminds us that the earth, “… is like a sister with whom we share our life, a beautiful mother, who opens her arms to embrace us.” Many of us have forgotten that “… we ourselves are dust of the earth; our very bodies are comprised of her elements. We breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.”
His Holiness continues that now this earth; gravely mistreated and neglected, is lamenting. Its mournful cries join those of all the discarded, who live on the face of the earth. Pope Francis extends an invitation to us, that we, individually and collectively; be attentive to these anguished cries. In response to them, the Pope explains that we must engender within ourselves an “ecological conversion” — a vision also consonant with the teachings of St. John Paul II (cf., papal encyclical, “Centesimus Annus, One Hundredth Year,” promulgated in 1991 — where he emphasized how and why the ecological crisis remains a serious moral issue).
Pope Francis prophetically calls all the people of the earth to metanoia, a Greek word literally signifying a one hundred and eighty degree turn-about, a transformative reversal of heart and mind; urging us to “change direction” — accepting responsibility of “caring for our common home.” The pope insists that increased concern and action to reverse what is happening to our planet are imperative at this critical juncture. In the final analysis, Pope Francis writes, “Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home.”
Two men called Francis, who lived worlds apart, separated by some eight hundred years, continue to challenge us with the same Gospel values, ever-enduring throughout the centuries. The invitation remains — to do better, to be better guardians of one another and worthy stewards of this good earth and all that dwell upon it.
Though we may travel ever so clumsily on the winding paths of life, may we be always conscious of our sacred responsibility to meet the ecological and social challenges, which confront us. Obedient to God’s Word, let us serve our Mother Earth, from which all biological life originates and flourishes. Be assured that generations to follow will be ever grateful to us, their forebears, who, by example, protected what God has lovingly created and so richly endows and lavishes.
Let us be illuminated by the immensity of brother sun and sister moon. Let us remain humble masters of the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky, mindful that the future of this wonderful world rests firmly in our hands.
Father Spina serves as pastor of St. Mary Church, West Warwick.
