Living a Responsible Lent – We Have Only One Heart

Living a Responsible Lent – Caring for our Common Home – Week 2

“We have only one heart, and the same wretchedness which leads us to mistreat an animal will not be long in showing itself in our relationship with other people.”  Pope Francis – Laudato Si 92

This week as we read The Gospel of Creation: Chapter 2 of Laudato Si, Pope Francis tells us that our faith convictions will lead us to care for our common home.  In doing so, we must care for the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters, especially the poor and marginalized who are most affected by the disproportionate burden placed on them by global warming.  We cannot work to attain material things without considering the impact the production of those things may have on the people and the resources needed to produce them.  He talks about how everything, all people, all life, all of creation is related.  We as humans are united not only with one another but also with the sun, moon, stars, earth, plants and animals.  We share our common home and we must recognize that everything in our common home is meant to benefit all. How can we work to heal the divisions between humans and the earth?  We have neglected our earth and in doing so, we have forgotten how God has entrusted our common home to our care.  We are called to reverse the practices which have damaged our home.  It is up to us to preserve a livable planet for future generations.

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