Sunday, June 21, 2015

Spiritual Poetry



"Francis helps us to see that an integral ecology calls for openness to categories which transcend the language of mathematics and biology, and take us to the heart of what it is to be human. Just as happens when we fall in love with someone, whenever he would gaze at the sun, the moon or the smallest of animals, he burst into song, drawing all other creatures into his praise. He communed with all creation, even preaching to the flowers, inviting them “to praise the Lord, just as if they were endowed with reason”.19 His response to the world around him was so much more than intellectual appreciation or economic calculus, for to him each and every creature was a sister united to him by bonds of affection. That is why he felt called to care for all that exists. His disciple Saint Bonaventure tells us that, “from a reflection on the primary source of all things, filled with even more abundant piety, he would call creatures, no matter how small, by the name of ‘brother’ or ‘sister’”.20 Such a conviction cannot be written off as naive romanticism, for it affects the choices which determine our behaviour. If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously. The poverty and austerity of Saint Francis were no mere veneer of asceticism, but something much more radical: a refusal to turn reality into an object simply to be used and controlled."    A small part of the Pope's encyclical for June 2015.  No, I am not Catholic nor catholic, I am not even a Christian in clear analysis, but I am spiritual and this Pope is a spiritual poet that has restored my soul.

8 comments:

  1. And he is absolutely correct.

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  2. We need more people in leadership to take Pope Francis's stand.

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  3. I so hope he lives a good, long time. Wonderful words.

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  4. he is pretty amazing for a pope.

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  5. I only hope that many listen. Taking care of our planet is not a political issue. It is a moral one.

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  6. So far I have agreed with 100% of what has come out of his mouth. A true example to me of what it means to follow God. Love. That is the heart of it all. Love every living thing as the gift from God that it is. If we all just loved more the earth would be a wonderful place to live.
    Thank you for sharing this.
    Also, that photo is gorgeous. So simple and so beautiful.

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  7. Respect for a person no matter his/her religion can move mountains sometimes. Lets hope that folks can brush away religious barriers, assumed by some, and see through to the importance of his words. -- barbara

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