Engaging Laudato Si’ Chapter 1 Reflection

What is happening to our common home?

Chapter 1 of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’ is not an easy read, yet it is a prophetic one.  First Pope Francis cautions us that “Before considering how faith brings new incentives and requirements with regard to the world of which we are a part (17),” he must enumerate the dire ecological conditions of our common home, Earth.  As I read through the sections on pollution, loss of biodiversity, the global lack of clean water and how these conditions mirrors global social breakdown of communities, inequitable access to clean resources and a lack of regard for the common good, what came to mind was the warnings of the prophet Isaiah: “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.  We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away (Is 64:6).”  These words of the prophet and Pope Francis stimulate me to deeper action to live more simply, speak out on ecological concerns and work towards reversing the damaging effects our consumer culture on our common home.

What is your response to this chapter?

Click here for the Summary: Chapter 1