April 2023--

Theme #7: Care for God's Creation

Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation
3. Rights and Responsibilities
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
6. Solidarity
7. Care for God’s Creation

Care For God's Creation

Sometimes it seems we forget, it is God's creation. We read Genesis 1, where God gave Adam dominion over creation, which does not mean "domination or power over" but, as we read in Genesis 2,  it means the ability to cultivate the land and care for it. It sounds like a partnership. God is asking us to be responsible stewards over the glory of creation, in which God remains present and active. "Domus", our common home, is the root word Pope Francis seems to use.

The earth is God's gift to everyone and everything, all needing each for survival and joy. Nature's resources belong to all, human and non-human, rich and poor alike, not for the profit and benefit of the few but for all. More and more we become aware of our interdependence with all God's creation, left in awe at the intricacy and responsibility of it all.

This God-given responsibility is demanding. We are called to reject false promises of excessive consumption, to choose a lifestyle toward a sustainable, equitable world economy, not based on material gain but on who we are together. Side-stepping consumerism, we might be surprised at the added time we have for family, friends, and civic and church responsibilities. 

The common good is not just for ourselves but for future generations. What kind of world are we leaving for future generations?  Is it a beautiful world where biodiversity flourishes, treated with affection and tenderness? Our hope is to hear of our cooperation "and God saw it was good". (Genesis 1)