As we continue to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of our beloved Pope Francis, may we also honor his memory and legacy in a special way today, the 55th International Earth Day. How providential that the day after his death, we would be celebrating this Earth Day, for it was 10 years ago next month that Pope Francis issued his landmark, significant letter to everyone on this planet, Laudato Si. In it, our Pope is urging us to care and protect our Earth, which he calls ‘our common home’. Of this our home, he beautifully says:
“The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, God’s boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is a caress of God.” (Laudato Si’, 84). Our responsorial psalm today echoes that thought: “The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” (Ps. 33).
Pope Francis continues Laudato Si by urging us to raise awareness of environmental issues and encouraging us to take serious action to protect our planet. Overall, Pope Francis was a significant witness to us through his words of compassion, mercy and hope, his deeds to the poor, marginalized and immigrants, and his actions to bring about a church of inclusion and mission.
So significant, too, is the witness of Mary Magdalen in our gospel today. This one, singular woman who followed Christ unreservedly, was the first one entrusted by Christ to spread the word that He had risen from the dead. Once Mary Magdalene told the apostles “I have seen the Lord”, they were never the same again. Their hearts and their lives were transformed forever. They retold this good news of Christ’s resurrection to others everywhere, especially after receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
As Easter people, may we recognize and be changed by the Lord, so we too can say and share, “I have seen the Lord.” By our words and actions, like those of Mary Magdalen and Pope Francis, we are privileged to be a follower and witness of Christ.
In closing, I thought it appropriate on this Earth Day to share with you part of the heartfelt prayer that Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si for our Earth:
“All-powerful God, you are present … in the smallest of your creatures... Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world …, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction... Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe … to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. Amen. (Laudato Si #246)
