LIVING LAUDATO SI’ THIS LENT

“If everything is related, then the health of a society’s institutions has consequences for the environment and the quality of human life. ‘Every violation of solidarity and civic friendship harms the environment’ [Pope Benedict XVI’s Caritas in Veritate]. In this sense, social ecology is necessarily institutional, and gradually extends to the whole of society, from the primary social group, the family, to the wider local, national and international communities.”

—Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, #142

It may seem easy to ignore or twist Pope Francis’ words. It’s tempting to claim that he’s talking to someone else. “I’m not a government leader,” we might say. “I’m not the CEO of anything. I’m not responsible for society’s institutions. He’s not talking to me.”

But the pope does not allow us to escape from our responsibilities. Rather, he starts with the family and builds from there. No matter who we are, no matter where we are, we have a responsibility to speak out for the good of society. We really are all responsible for all. From caring for our aging parents to holding our elected leaders accountable to speaking out for those who are oppressed, our lives should echo that golden rule: to love our neighbor as ourselves. And to that, we have to make sure the neighborhood is a safe and just place.

Pope Francis doesn’t stop there. He reminds us to champion the environment, to recognize the integral connection between the health of the planet and the health of our sisters and brothers. And, as we continue our Lenten walk, we are challenged to reflect on those things in our lives we might do well to give up in order to better serve the common good of all.