We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now — Romans 8:22
In the above passage, Paul is saying that creation as we know it is like a woman in labor who is about to give birth. We human beings are midwives to that birth. The Catholic Church has a long and storied tradition of care of creation culminating in Pope Francis’ clarion call in his document, Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home, wherein he states, “Although it is true that we Christians have at times incorrectly interpreted the Scriptures, nowadays we must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in God’s image and given dominion over the earth justifies absolute domination over other creatures. The biblical texts are to be read in their context, with an appropriate hermeneutic, recognizing that they tell us to ‘till and keep’ the garden of the world (cf Gen. 2:15). ‘Tilling’ refers to cultivation, ploughing or working, while ‘keeping’ means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving” (67).
Laudato Si’ challenges us to “hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” through ecological conversion, changes in lifestyle and society, and strong political action. What are Catholic Christians to do? I offer the following suggestions:
- REFLECT on the miracle of the natural world and your place in it and PRAY that you might be intentional in her care.
- LEARN by reading Laudato Si’ for free at: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
- USE YOUR HEARING AND SIGHT to respond to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth. They are interconnected. The poor have been unjustly subjected to the results of abuses on nature brought by wealthy nations. .
- DISCERN what you can do to change your own way of living to one that is more sustainable for the whole community. This includes reducing water usage, reducing use of plastics and eliminating styrofoam, switching to LED lighting, planting trees and native plants, and by becoming an eco-consumer doing eco-investing. .
- JOIN with others who believe caring for our common home is a responsibility given to us by God when God asked us to care for the garden in Genesis. Here at HNOJ Cathedral, join the Laudato Si’ Circle, or Cathedral’s Earth Care Community, or the Diocese of Raleigh NC Catholics Caring for our Common Home. For more information or to add your name, contact socialconcern@hnojnc.org
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh,