From The Bishop

The First Reading and the Gospel of the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time make a reference to nature. The Gospel of St. Mark speaks of seeds, plants, growth and harvest. The passage from the prophet Ezekiel speaks of mountains, forests, cedars and winged creatures. We see the glory of God expressed in nature. At this moment many, especially the media, are anxiously awaiting Pope Francis’s Encyclical on Creation (Laudato Siâ€" “Praised Beâ€�) which will be published on June 18, 2015. For a document that is not yet public, there have been a great deal of opinions expressed regarding its meaning and contents. In this sea of opinions it is important to remain grounded in the truth. The truth is that despite what some commentators may say, Pope Francis will build upon the teachings of his predecessors and remind us that we are stewards of God’s creation. Just as we are to care for each person from conception to natural death, so too are we to care and respect all God’s creation. Pope Francis will not be publishing a political call to action regarding global warming. The document will be rooted in moral theology and should be seen in that light. It will be a reflection on the grandeur of God’s creation with challenges like climate change as a component but not its focus. Let us hope and pray that Laudato Si will offer us new insights regarding how we can simplify our lives and live as brothers and sisters in Christ acting as responsible stewards of God’s creation.