24 Pope Francis reminds us that it is wrong to think that efforts like these, seemingly simple acts, will not change the world because what they do is call forth a goodness which, albeit unseen, inevitably tends to spread (212), and society benefits when lives are lived more fully. He stresses that ecological education takes place in a variety of settings: at school, in families, in the media, in catechesis and elsewhere (213), citing the family in particular as the place where we are taught to create a culture of shared life and respect for our surroundings (213). It is not only in social and political groups that ecological awareness can be raised; the Church and all Christian communities have an important part to play in ecological education (214), for it is there that simplicity of life, in grateful contemplation of God’s world (214) can be deeply nurtured so that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor is more readily heard. Education is truly at the heart of maintaining a healthy environment because it raises awareness of the consequences of our actions, and our failure to act, and can be a catalyst for changes in mindset that can change behaviour; when we learn to see beauty, we learn to reject what exploits and destroys it. III ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION Our encounter with Jesus Christ must lead us to protect creation In this section Pope Francis offers Christians a few suggestions for an ecological spirituality grounded in the convictions of our faith, since the teachings of the Gospel have direct consequences for our way of thinking, feeling and living (216). Unfortunately, there are Christian people who ridicule environmental concerns, and others who remain passive, choosing not to alter their behaviour in any meaningful way. In reality, the Christian way is to be protectors of God’s handiwork (which is) essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience (217). We must remember, however, that changing the world cannot be achieved by individual means alone; the ecological conversion needed to bring about lasting change is also a community conversion (219). Changes in attitudes are called for which together foster a spirit of generous care, full of tenderness (220). We are linked to creation and to all beings through the bonds created by God: each creature reflects something of God and has a message to convey to us (221), as Saint Francis taught in his example of sublime fraternity (221). An integral ecology includes taking time to recover a serene harmony with creation, reflecting on our lifestyle and our ideals, and contemplating the Creator who lives among us and surrounds us, whose presence must be found, uncovered (225)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQ0MTI=