9 V A Universal Communion Together we form a universal family We are united by close and holy unseen bonds which join us so closely to the world around us that we can feel the desertification of the soil almost as a physical ailment, and the extinction of species as a painful disfigurement (89). However, we must not deny the preeminence of the human person, and cannot fail to see and act when some are mired in desperate and degrading poverty...while others have not the faintest idea of what to do with their possessions (90). If this sense of deep communion with the whole of nature is to be real, our hearts cannot lack tenderness, compassion and concern for our fellow human beings (91). VI The Common Destination of Goods In fidelity to the Creator, the fruits of the earth are meant to benefit everyone We are reminded in this section that in caring for our common home, every ecological approach needs to incorporate a social perspective which takes into account the fundamental rights of the poor and underprivileged (93). Any form of development or mitigation which does not respect and promote human rights—personal and social, economic and political, including the rights of nations and of peoples—would not be really worthy of man (93). If something becomes our own private property, it should be for the good of all. The Pope quotes the bishops of New Zealand, who asked what the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” means when “twenty percent of the world’s population consumes resources at a rate that robs the poor nations and future generation of what they need to survive (95). VII The Gaze Of Jesus Jesus invited others to be attentive to the beauty that there is in the world Jesus asked his disciples to recognise the paternal relationship God has with all his creatures—God is Father (96) and even a sparrow is important in God’s eyes. Jesus lived in harmony with creation, and often invited others to be attentive to the beauty around them (97, 98): He was far removed from philosophies which despised the body, matter and the things of the world (98). In fact, for most of his life Jesus led a simple life as “the carpenter, the son of Mary” (Mk 6:3), in this way sanctifying human labour. See how the fields are ripe for the harvest (Jn 4:35) The kingdom of God is like a grain of mustard seed (Matt 13:31) What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him? (Matt 8:27) The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard!’” (Matt 11:19)
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