St. Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home Earth is like a sister with whom we share our life, and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.

 

"This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.

 

"We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts is reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air, and in all forms of life.

 

"We have forgotten that our very bodies are made up of her elements, and that we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters."

 

These words are taken from Pope Francis' encyclical, "On Care for Our Common Home." Over sixty years ago Pope John XXIII wrote the words, "Now, faced as we are with global environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this planet..." 

 

How long will words of wisdom from those in leadership fall on deaf ears? Are we finally recycling to preserve our natural resources, conserving our fresh water, avoiding pollution of our atmosphere...?

 

If not, when?

10/27/2021