The Church cannot and will not ignore the impact of climate change on the planet. And we, as Schoenstatt Movement, want to look at this reality in the spirit of “May 31, 1949” within organic living, thinking and loving.
“It is as if the atmosphere of the homeland surrounds us at this moment. It seems as if angels are in our midst and tell us: ‘Take off your sandals, because the place where you are standing is holy ground’” (Father Joseph Kentenich in his homily of May 31, 1949).
Pope Francis reminds us that caring for the environment means caring for the people who live in it, inasmuch as everything is connected. “To the Catholic faithful, I must not fail to remind them of the motivations that spring from their own faith. I encourage brothers and sisters of other religions to do the same, because we know that authentic faith not only gives strength to the human heart, but transforms the entire life, transfigures one’s goals, enlightens relationships with others and the connections with creation as a whole.”
Being a new man who transforms the world
The topic of sustainability is becoming increasingly prevalent in our society. This new man in the new society has the great challenge to take off his sandals and bear witness to the fact that everything God has created in the world must be cared for, protected and properly managed. And this is the only way that every human being will survive in the future.
The Pope reminds us that there is no point in putting off decisions any longer.
Like the Old Testament prophets, Pope Francis knocks at the door of our conscience to make us abandon attitudes that perhaps hide indifference or selfishness and prevent us from changing: “Let us put an end once and for all to the irresponsible mockery that presents this issue as merely environmental, “green”, romantic, often ridiculed by economic interests. Let us accept once and for all that it is a human and social problem in the most complex ways”.
This is not the first time that a contemporary Pope has exercised this prophetic function. St. Paul VI did so with Humanae vitae -and the well-known consequences of not listening to his message are sadly evident today-; St. John Paul II did so denouncing the invasion of Iraq, which ended with the collapse of a country where Muslims and Christians used to live together in a reasonable peace and who have now practically disappeared, emigrating -voluntarily or forcibly- to other lands.
Now, Pope Francis does so with a topic that, for some, may seem far removed from the faith, but which is at the heart of it, insofar as it encourages us to care for our brothers and sisters, but also to care for Creation, following the original mandate of Genesis (2:15), admiring its beauty, because if “the world sings of infinite Love, how can we not care for it?” (Pope Francis).
Living organically for creation
In Schoenstatt we can express the same in the words of our Prophet Fr. Kentenich.
“Holy ground, because the Blessed Mother chose this little place for herself; holy ground because, in the course of the years, decades and centuries, from this little piece of land holy men will arise, grow and work fruitfully; holy ground, finally, because from here holy tasks, that is, tasks which sanctify, will be placed on weak human shoulders.”
In this month of November, we invite Schoenstatters all over the world to put into practice processes that will help us to take care of the future.
Challenges for the month of November
Take on the holy task of protecting creation.
TURN YOUR SHOPPING CART INTO A CART THAT WILL REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT.
Choose local, seasonal products as much as possible, with as little processing and packaging as possible.
DE-PLASTICIZE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Look at the plastic around you and think about the amount of plastic you don’t need. These tips will help you reduce your plastic use.
“The sacred professional task of the Catholic individual: to always be the most outstanding, the best, in all manifestations of human life…. There is a holy pride, an ambition which is a duty: to excel in goodness!” (J.K. 15.04.1928)
Invitation
I invite professionals in the fields of Design, Engineering, Architecture, Landscaping and Construction to come together and try to reflect on achieving sustainability and the future of humanity.
Join us, let’s take care of the future together.
If you want to join, you can write a private message to my Instagram account: @gavilan_green.spaces,
or by email to: gavilan.foreverstore@gmail.com,
or WhatsApp number: +351 915 943 107
Translation: Maribel Acaron
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