Love is the fulfillment of the Law.–Romans 13:10
To love, can it be that simple to solve the problems of the world? Today’s readings show us that we are responsible for and to one another, in all our actions. In St. John Paul II’s Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Reconciliation and Penance, he writes: “Every sin has repercussions on the entire ecclesial body and the whole human family. . .every sin can undoubtedly be considered as social sin” (16). The personal choices we make have social consequences. Visualize dropping the proverbial pebble in a pool of water. The resulting ripples are the after-effects of our action. During the Season of Creation, we unite as one family celebrating the bonds we share with each other and with “every living creature on Earth” (Genesis 9:10). Let us examine how a selfish action reverberates and becomes a social sin.
A developer comes on a piece of property and, in order to make the greatest financial profit, he clear cuts the entire land of its forest.
Now, let’s take the viewpoint of the tree in this Aesop’s Fable, “The Plane Tree”: “Two travelers, walking in the hot sun, sought the shade of a large tree to rest. As they lay looking up among the pleasant leaves, they saw that it was a plane tree. ‘How useless is the Plane!’ said one of them, ‘it bears no fruit whatever, and only serves to litter the ground with leaves.’ The plane tree interrupted him with quiet dignity, ‘Shame on you, ungrateful creatures. You come and take shelter under me from the scorching sun, and then, in the very act of enjoying the cool shade of my foliage, you call me good for nothing!’”
The developer is the travelers in that he sees no worth to the trees on his property. By clear-cutting he has increased the heat of the earth and jeopardized life for all by contributing to the warming of the planet.
Climate change is a result of the intersection of greed, inequality and destruction of God’s Earth. The 2026 theme, “Living Water,” is chosen for this year’s Season of Creation as it laments how we humans have not safe-guarded the waters that all living things need, including the trees that cool our earth. Meet at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences Globe this coming Saturday (9/12) at noon to “Gather at the Globe” as we pray and envision a more loving way of living. When love is the way, earth will be a paradise.
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, NC