All Creatures Great and Small

In Chapter Two of Laudato Si, Pope Francis speaks of Jesus and his absolute love for all of creation:

Jesus took up the biblical faith in God the Creator, emphasizing a fundamental truth: God is Father (cf. Mt 11:25). In talking with his disciples, Jesus would invite them to recognize the paternal relationship God has with all his creatures. With moving tenderness he would remind them that each one of them is important in God’s eyes: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God” (Lk 12:6). “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Mt 6:26).

If this is true, how then can we treat what Jesus cherished with carelessness and contempt? If we truly wish to please God, then we need to treat his creation as Jesus would. We must repent of our wasteful ways, lower our carbon footprints, and treat all creation, including the plants, animals, and the poor and marginalized with the utmost kindness and respect. 

In the Christian understanding of the world, the destiny of all creation is bound up with the mystery of Christ, present from the beginning: “All things have been created through him and for him” (Col 1:16).

Working together, we can help take care of our common home. Check out past columns.

Paul Litwin