During his General Audience, the pope said that amid this current crisis, we have seen and learned how people take care of each other, especially the sick. However, he also highlighted the importance of using these collective efforts to also care for God’s creation, “whose beauty is all too often ignored and its resources squandered,”
In his message, Pope Francis said,“In order to regain a proper sense of our place within God’s creation, and of our call to respect and care for the earth and one another, we need to learn anew the art of contemplation.” He invited Christians to enter into silence in order to contemplate their interconnected world. That way it is possible to appreciate the true meaning and value of all creatures and nature.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS
“Dear Brothers and Sisters, in our continuing reflections on the current pandemic in the light of the Church’s social doctrine, we have seen the vital role played by the many people who generously care for others, especially the sick, elderly and most vulnerable. We have also recognized our responsibility to care for the natural world, whose beauty is all too often ignored and its resources squandered. In order to regain a proper sense of our place within God’s creation, and of our call to respect and care for the earth and one another, we need to learn anew the art of contemplation.
For when we enter into silence and contemplate our interconnected world, we come to appreciate the true meaning and value of all creatures, for each in its own way reflects something of God’s infinite wisdom, goodness and beauty. Contemplation teaches us how integral we all are to the whole of creation, our calling to be faithful stewards of its riches, and our need to preserve it for future generations.”
