FATHER CHARLES BRANDT – “ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME”
Common
together-as-one . . . shared alike . . . bound together by obligation
The Brandt Series:
ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME: LAUDATO SI
Text and nature photos by Charles Brandt
It cannot have escaped your notice, but on Thursday 18th, June 2015, Pope Francis published his long-awaited encyclical: Laudato Si, ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME, addressed to every person living on this planet.
Thomas Berry writes elsewhere that the human community and the natural world must go into the future as a single sacred community, or we will perish in the desert. Some scientists believe that we have already released so much carbon into the atmosphere, which is causing global warming, that we have passed the point of no return. Laudato Si sees it differently: there is still Hope if we begin to act NOW. So menacing is this threat that recently the world powers (G7 Nations) have reached an agreement to completely “decarbonize” their economics by 2100.
This is a watershed moment. It means that all oil, coal, gas, will be left in the ground after 2100.
WOW! Even (our past) Canadian Prime Minister Harper agrees. This bodes well for Woodhus Creek.
On “Our Common Home”, Aldo Leopold writes that our community includes by extension waters, plants, soil, atmosphere, and all sentient beings: in other words : The Human Community and the Other than Human Community.
While Laudato Si is concerned with the poor Human Community it is perhaps more concerned with the poor Other than Human Community, especially how global warming is affecting this community.
(cover of encyclical – Praise Be, On Care for Our Common Home)
We all have important works that we are involved in. Thomas Berry points out that in addition we are all involved in the GREAT WORK: which is making a transition from a society that is having a disruptive influence on the earth to one that will have a benign influence. That we make this transition by experiencing creation with a sense of wonder and delight.
That we have to fall in love with the earth. We only save something, someone, if we love them. We only love something if we think it is sacred.
Only the sense of the sacred will save us. Laudato Si teaches us that the earth is sacred,
our Common Home is Sacred.
Father Charles A.E.Brandt, erm
September 30, 2015
postscript from Pope Francis . . .
Peace, Justice & Joy
I don’t have the eloquence to speak of the sacredness of all living things as you do, Bruce, but I feel it. Thanks for such a beautiful post and you’ve pointed me towards some additional reading I’ll look forward to.
The eloquence here Debra, belongs to our 92 year old elder, Charles Brandt, who has dedicated his life to contemplation, conservation and action.
He sounds like an amazing man!
So strange that the philosophy of sacredness still needs help/effort to bring about widespread acknowledgement, agreement and actions based on the philosophy. Sometimes the glacial pace of human spiritual evolution seems inexplicable, yet positive developments combined with awareness of humanity’s historical achievements should provide solid encouragement for strong continued efforts of a benevolent nature.
For us earthlings, here’s to hoping for a new awakening… 🙂 Thanks Jerry
Nice piece! I volunteer for a small land conservation organization that hosts a “Woods, Water & Wildlife” festival for adults/kids/families. One of our serious, non-parent members thought the event should teach more about the organization and more facts about conservation – I shared that I felt the most important thing was for the kids to walk away with having a joyful experience and a heart connection to the land because that is what would inspire those kids to continue the work when they grow up. The number of kids that grow up not playing outside really concerns me.
Great work with the kids! Yes, to get kids outside is an important task, even if it is just walking around the city block or to a playground…. better yet into the woods or onto a beach. The lack of the out-of -doors is a real downside to the digital age – and even for adults. Thanks for sharing your positive experience -heartening indeed
beautiful & encouraging, Bruce!
without this sweet little earth
where would we be? 🙂
So grateful for the earth & for Charles’ life work, of contemplation, conservation & action.
We share a love for this earth, Bruce 🙂
🙂
“[W]e have to fall in love with the earth.”
~ Thanks for sharing that reminder, Bruce. Those of us who live in the new technological age have become so enamored with our own creations that we have disconnected from the earth that sustains our life.
🙂 Seems like we’re reading and responding to each other in real time 🙂 Rosaliene. Thanks, as always.