Respond to the Call

        The initiative to take care of our common home doesn’t only apply to those few who really care about it. The primordial obligation to protect and value our mother Earth applies to all of us since we are the one who used and live here. This planet is our “common home” and for it to really be our home, we, all of us need to value its great importance in our lives. There is still no certain planet in the vast scale universe were we can live, and we can call “HOME.” Because at the end, we have one, unique planet after all. The obligation to protect it doesn’t only apply to the few, to those environmentalist – No! We all have that kind of responsibility since it’s our home.

        There had been various problems, global problems in terms of our environment. There are already numerous abuses towards our very own planet. These problems will exemplify it:

·         Global Climate Change and Global warming

·         Deforestation

·         Illegal Logging

·         Various Pollutions (Water, air, land pollutions)

·         Water Scarcity

·         Loss of Biodiversity

·         Waste Disposal

·         Land Management and Urban sprawl

·         Illegal Mining etc.

These are just some big problems that should make us worry enough if we really care for our common home. We should all worry! With these enormous at hand, the Catholic Church try to move its ground with the leadership of our Very Own Pope, His Holiness Pope Francis. He released his own thoughts to the world by means of his Encyclical letter whose focus is for our very own home. We are lucky to have a Pope who extends the altar of God to the environment. His encyclical letter “Laudato Si” meaning “On Care for Our Common Home” Many people read it worldwide and found it enlightening, challenging and inspiring. Our Pope Francis lays out his vision of global environmental deterioration and a spirituality of care in Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home. There are actually six chapters and an introduction in the encyclical. The introduction begins with the words that become the title: Laudato si’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord.” These are the words of the beautiful poetic song written by St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century that reminds us that being in relationship with God and all Creation is to live a life of praise to our God for our common home, that is “like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.” The Pope then makes an earnest appeal, “This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her…”. Because St. Francis was able to approach the world around him as a “brother” with affection, wonder, and praise, Pope Francis sees him as the “example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically.” If we feel united to nature in a similar way that honors and cares for the interconnected of all things, the Pope has hope that our attitude can shift from being consumers, masters, and exploiters to one that exudes sobriety, care, and joy. Our Pope with his letter to all people shares his thoughts, his ideas and concerns that bothers him. This should challenge all of us not only Catholics to do something, to open our eyes to the cry of the environment and to the cry of the poor. We should do something!

        Pope Francis’ revolutionary new encyclical calls for a “broad cultural revolution” to confront the environmental crisis in today’s world. These are the main message or “takeaways” of this encyclical:

1)        The spiritual perspective is now part of the discussion on the environment

2)        The poor are disproportionately affected by climate change

3)        Less is more

4)        Catholic social teaching now includes teaching on the environment.

5)        Discussions about ecology can be grounded in the Bible and church tradition.

6)        Everything is connected—including the economy.

7)        Scientific research on the environment is to be praised and used.

8)        Widespread indifference and selfishness worsen environmental problems.

9)        Global dialogue and solidarity are needed.

10)    A change of heart is required

These are the main takeaways in the whole encyclical of Pope Francis. He knew the urgency to respond to the cry of the poor and the environment. He did his best to put his response in a written manuscript were all people not regarding their religion will be challenge and enlightened to what we really need as God’s creation who was given the opportunity and gift to have a common home were everything that we need are all inculcated in it. This shows the environment in a spiritual perspective were faith, love and charity is needed to transform each and every one of us to act to the urgency of the call. The last takeaway is actually challenging “a change of heart.” All of us whether we doubt it or not knows the fact that always ignore need of the planet for help. Our mother earth is in deep sorrow and we need to do something, we need to change certain habits to make the pain cease. Because at the end of the day, if we continue to be so ignorant to the negative things happening to our surroundings, other people especially those at the margins of the society, those that are poor will suffer more. From the various years there were strong typhoons that came especially here in the Philippines. But who needs to be blame? Many are suffering, many our homeless, thirsty, hungry etc. because others deprive them to have a healthy home were everyone can experience serenity, love and harmony with God’s creation. We are still challenge to do something for our common home. Let us build a home were everyone will experience joy and love. Let us stop and tame our mother earth.

"Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience." (Laudato Si)