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Chapter Two: St. Francis and the spirit of the text
Here is the link to the Vatican Document; Laudato Si
http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
In each of the previous reflections I started with an image or a video. In entering a video or image we give our minds and hearts a simple place to rest and go with the flow rather than over thinking the situation before us. So, as we enter into the text of Laudato Si lets allow St Francis to take us into the beauty of nature and embrace of love.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=brother+son+and+sister+moon+youtubes&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dbrother%2bson%2band%2bsister%2bmoon%2byoutubes%26form%3dEDGHPT%26qs%3dPF%26cvid%3d418028ce211f447089f656dba0cf1430%26refig%3d290fcb4031dc496c82de228265844cc4%26cc%3dUS%26setlang%3den-US%26plvar%3d0%26PC%3dDCTS&mmscn=vwrc&view=detail&mid=15CBB970B5BF8E20FDFA15CBB970B5BF8E20FDFA&rvsmid=D3ED58610D37CC718148D3ED58610D37CC718148&FORM=VDQVAP
I noticed that this video just continues on from one song to the next. See one, watch them all and simple rest and allow the smile from within to simple wash over you.
I remember this movie back in the 70s and it touched me deeply. I know that, because forty years later I still experience joy, beauty and the fluttering of the heart. A few years ago, when I was in SE France/Provence where St. Francis’ mother is from, I had the gift of walking through fields of tall grass with red poppies surrounding me. Yes, it was a Francis experience.
St. Francis has been a guide to Pope Francis from the moment he said Yes to being called to be the Pope/Bishop of Rome and taking the name Francis. He was reminded that with that name he was to remember the poor and care for creation. And so Laudato Si, simple means “LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord”. In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. #1.
Opening Prayer from the Chinook Psalter/Earth Prayers
May we today be touched by grace, fascinated, and moved by your creation, energized by the power of new growth at work in your world.
May we move beyond viewing this life only through a frame, but touch it and be touched by it, know it and be known by it, love it and be loved by it.
May our bodies, our minds, our spirits, learn a new rhythm paced by the rhythmic pulse of the whole created order.
May spring come to us, be in us, and recreate life in us...
From paragraph 3 to 16 Pope France in Laudato Si begins by building a foundation for this encyclical by looking back at the statements from the recent popes: Pope Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI. Pope John Paul II wrote: “The destruction of the human environment is extremely serious, not only because God has entrusted the world to us men and women, but because human life is itself a gift which must be defended from various forms of debasement. Every effort to protect and improve our world entails profound changes in “lifestyles, models of production and consumption, and the established structures of power which today govern societies”. # 5.
This call to change our lifestyle calls for an ecological conversion that begins in the heart. The text from Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is very powerful and challenging for us, for he asks us to “acknowledge ‘our contribution, smaller or greater, to the disfigurement and destruction of creation”. And then he brings this into the sacrament of reconciliation. For “to commit a crime against the natural world is a sin against ourselves and a sin against God”. #8
So, before we move on, let us sit with this. Not in a way that is judgmental or hyper critical, but it away that is real. Acknowledging what is and then through love and mindfulness see what can be.
The following link is one that needs time. For it embraces the moment and the day and beyond. In the “examen” the Jesuit process of reflection, we are called to begin with Gratitude, Awareness, Understanding, Conversion, Reconciliation and ending with a Prayer.
http://www.ecologicalexamen.org/
Take the time you need and remember to breathe through out. Allowing for (the Spirit, the Ruah, the Breath) to guide you to those verdant pastures and quiet waters. Also know that you can go back to any page/link you like at any time for whatever the reason. “Be Gentle”.
From #10 to #13 Pope Francis calls us to look at Francis as guide and Patron Saint of Caring for the Earth. A key phrase that is used often is that of an “integral ecology”. What does this mean? I think it means seeing the world as One and that there is a relationship between our actions and the worlds health (soil, soul, society). It need not be complex and the following two quotes’ points in that direction.
“An integral ecology includes taking time to recover a serene harmony with creation, reflecting on our lifestyle and our ideals, and contemplating the Creator who lives among us and surrounds us….” (#225)
“An integral ecology is also made up of simple daily gestures which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and selfishness.” (#230)
Here is a small video/cartoon that may help explain “integral ecology”. Before you see it, I know we are not in Minnesota, but having lived there for six years I think it clearly says what “integral ecology” is all about.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=intergral+ecology%2c+pope+francis%2c+youtube&&view=detail&mid=0B4B584D640E83F047D60B4B584D640E83F047D6&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dintergral%2Becology%252c%2Bpope%2Bfrancis%252c%2Byoutube%26FORM%3DVDRESM
We have entered into the text from Laudato Si and seen how it calls us to live a life of Wholeness. Where there is a sense of integrity and authenticity between our daily lives and our faith life.
I will conclude with the prayer taken from the end of Laudato Si:
#246. A prayer for our earth
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.