Laudato Si: The Bleeding of Mother Earth

By: Nuoyong

Can we not see and hear the cries of our beloved Sister Mother Earth? Are we truly so blind and deaf, or is it simply our cruelty and greed that leads us to neglect her care? How different are we from Cain, who turned his back on his brother?
Mother Earth is suffering, bleeding, and wailing because she can no longer sustain and care for her brethren and children. Let us not remain indifferent until high utility tariffs hit us, or wait until we face famine due to unproductive lands. Let us not sit on the fence until we witness the birth of abnormal and deformed babies.
We must not allow future generations to curse us. We must have a change in attitude towards Mother Earth and recognize our obligation to her. It is wrong to bite the hand that feeds us.
The celebration of the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi will hold no meaning if it is not connected to the restoration of Mother Earth. As Catholics, and especially as Franciscans, let us turn to the Patron of the ecosystem, St. Francis of Assisi. Let us follow his example of love for nature and heed the lessons of Laudato Si from our Pope. Let us take action, for the Creator did not make us the custodians of the land by mistake. Let us boldly stand up and protect our precious Mother Earth.