Readings
Isaiah 26:1-6
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Reflection
In his encyclical, Laudato Si, Pope Francis writes, “Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it.” That means that if we abuse the natural world, we will reap the consequences.
In the book of Genesis, God entrusts humanity with the stewardship of God’s creation. The interconnectedness of nature has this law written in its very being. Well then, it simply follows that if we follow God’s law and are mindful of this interconnectedness of ourselves as part of the natural world, then we are like a people building our house on rock – we will have a future for ourselves and for our children’s children. The natural disasters we are witnessing with growing frequency and severity are a warning that, instead, we are building our house on sand because by failing to observe God’s law in nature. We are headed for a fall, and how great and terrible that fall shall be.
Fr. Ray Sanchez CP is the leader of the Oxley community and is responsible for Parish Missions and Retreats throughout Australia and NZ.