In front of a few hundred faithful gathered in the courtyard of Saint Damase for the weekly general audience, Pope Francis continued his cycle of catechesis on " healing the world " after the pandemic. For the Holy Father, the care we have for our human brothers and sisters must also apply to creation. To do this, it is important to regain a contemplative look at it.
To emerge from a pandemic, we need to " heal and care for one another." Thus, all those who care for the vulnerable must be supported in their service, the Pope began, for whom this care must also extend to creation. Creation must not be seen as a " mere resource," because creatures have "a value in themselves," in the sense that they "reflect, each in their own way, a ray of God's infinite wisdom and goodness" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 339). Abusing it is a "grave sin," the Pope warns, recalling that contemplation is the "best antidote to the misuse of our common home."
Feeling part of Creation
"Without contemplation, it is easy to fall into an unbalanced and proud anthropocentrism"; this erroneous vision positions man as absolute dominator over all other creatures. However, by claiming to occupy the place of God, "we become predators " who exploit the earth, instead of working it with care. " Our poorest brothers and our mother earth groan because of the damage and injustice we have caused "and demand a conversion on our part.
It is therefore important to rediscover this contemplative dimension, which allows us to discover in others and in nature "something much greater than their usefulness", namely "the intrinsic value that God has conferred on them ". Contemplation "is done from the inside, recognizing ourselves as part of creation, becoming protagonists", more than simple observers. "If you are unable to contemplate nature, you will not be able to contemplate the beauty of people", said the Pope, who insisted: " those who exploit nature end up exploiting people, it is a universal law".
The "contemplative in action " adopts an attitude of vigilance, becomes a protector of the environment, seeking "to conjure the ancestral knowledge of ancient cultures with new technical knowledge, so that our way of life is sustainable."
What heritage will we leave to future generations?
Contemplating and caring: these are two attitudes " that show the way to correct and rebalance our relationship as human beings with creation." The relationship between man and nature is sometimes likened to that fostered between enemies, the Pope said. But unbridled exploitation comes at a high price, he warned, citing a Spanish saying: " God always forgives; we sometimes forgive; nature never forgives." This relationship must be transformed into a " fraternal " relationship. "The problem is not how you get by today, the problem is the life of future generations," Pope Francis said. "Let us think of our children, our grandchildren: what will we leave them if we exploit creation?"
Thus, those who choose the path of contemplation become the "guardians of our common home" and safeguard the heritage that God has entrusted to us so that future generations can enjoy it." And the Pope paid tribute to the indigenous peoples, "to whom we owe a debt of gratitude", but also to the associations and movements that are committed to protecting their territory with its natural and cultural values, but whose work is not always appreciated, or even hindered. They all participate in the "revolution of care".
"Each of us can and must become a 'guardian of the common home', capable of praising God for his creatures, of contemplating them and protecting them," the Pope concluded.
Link to source:
https://www.vaticannews.va/fr/pape/news/2020-09/audience-generale-contempler-cr…
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