Earth is like a large home, a wide and varied community – the community of life. There is a vital relationship among animals, plants, rocks, water and individuals. The environment is made of everything that is around us – and we too are part of this vital circle. This is the deep meaning of the word “ecology” (study of the environment).
As human beings, we understand natural dynamics, and have a certain control over nature. Thanks to technology, nature has become an object to manipulate, and we have come to a self-serving understanding of nature – neglecting the fact that we too are part of nature. As our environment becomes increasingly artificial, human beings become impoverished, and their idea of self-fulfillment and happiness change dramatically. Today we acknowledge the de-humanization of human beings since nature recoils even from itself. The crisis that nature is going through is also an anthropological crisis, which concerns human beings as well because it is well known that environmental issues are rooted in people's choices and actions. Human beings, however, can also be at the root of the solution of such problems (Rm 8). To be an instrument of peace in a world wounded because of lack of respect is a challenge that we are taking on, but also our most hope-filled dream. Peace on earth, peace in our relationships, inner peace – this is what we hope for. This is what we are committed to, as daughters and sons of the God of peace. In the spirit of our founders, we can find the possibility to live as prophets of our time and consider ourselves alive within a community of life through the interconnections that bind one being to another.
We have the example of many saints who, in touch with nature, freed their own and other people's creativity. St. Francis of Assisi and St. Seraphim of Sarov bear witness to a connection with nature which led them and still leads each person to God, by elevating each creature to a high level of spiritual “incandescence.” Among current founders, we have Chiara Lubich, who relates the beginnings of the Work that God entrusted to her by using mystical images taken from nature. Our founders teach us that we do not achieve true and fulfilled existence by ourselves, but by nourishing a relationship which includes nature – whose ultimate goal, according to Scripture, is to “enter into God.” Nature is present in our journey toward fulfillment and becomes our companion in the journey (Eph 1:9-10). Nature gives a foundational mark to each relationship. It intervenes in our relationship with God, nourishes the spiritual life of people living in a certain place, nourishes art and science, promotes different and creative techniques to help individuals make of earth a beautiful and welcoming home.
Are we going to exercise our personal responsibility to heal the wounds of our sister and mother Earth? Are we going to change our behavior when it contributes to global warming – which threatens life on earth? Can we teach other people to love and preserve nature, so that it can be used not just for our material needs?
© Franciscan Sisters of the Poor
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)