13 When human beings fail to find their true place in this world, they misunderstand themselves and end up acting against themselves (115) with disabilities, to offer just a few examples (117), in order that we can hear the cry of creation, because everything is connected (117). Healing of both human relationships and our relationship with the world depends on the social dimension of our openness to others and the transcendent dimension of our openness to God. Pope Francis urges us not to see everything as irrelevant unless it serves one’s own interests (122); not to engage in the culture of relativism which drives one person to take advantage of another, to treat others as mere objects (123). This, he explains, is the kind of thinking (that) leads to the sexual exploitation of children and abandonment of the elderly who no longer serve our interests (123). There is also the need for a correct understanding of not only human work and endeavour, but the meaning and purpose of all human activity (124). We can look to St Francis of Assisi and the great tradition of monasticism to provide examples of both the awe-filled contemplation of creation... and a balanced understanding of the meaning of work (125), which can help us to be both respectful and protective of the environment (126). Unfortunately, the technological progress in place in the world favours the lowering of production costs and the replacement of workers by machines. The Pope warns us: to stop investing in people, in order to gain greater short-term financial gain, is bad business for society (128). When technology disregards the great ethical principles, it ends up considering any practice whatsoever as licit. A technology severed from ethics will not easily be able to limit its own power (136) Reflection, discussion and sharing: 1. Reflect on the ways in which you demonstrate ‘stewardship’ of creation and of the environment around you. Share the positive and negative ways in which you use the earth’s resources and the kind of footprint you create (for e.g. water and power consumption, shopping habits, recycling, transport, gardening and the use of pesticides, use of technology, engagement with environmental issues or groups, etc.) 2. In what ways does the world’s reliance on technology to solve problems contribute to local and global issues of injustice? 3. How can my life of encounter with and closeness to the loving Heart of Jesus become more evident in my relationship with the world around me? 4. Are there regular opportunities in my/our family or community to identify ways I/we can live more sustainably and/or to monitor my/our progress? If not, how will I/we create these opportunities?
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