The Meaning Of The Word Care
What is care? or What does it mean to care? According to the dictionary, care is the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something. To care means to look after and provide for the need of, to feel concern or interest; to attach importance to something.
The word “Care” was spelled out and embraced in the message of Pope Francis on mother earth in his letter. Care for the Poor, Care for the Planet, Care for Nature, Care for the Communities, Care for People and Care for God’s Creation. The discussion about the environment has only been framed mainly using Political, Scientific and Economic language. Only before the publication of the Pope’s letter was that there was a Religious point of view about the environmental crisis. Clearly, decisively and systematically the language of faith entered the discussion. The letter was addressed to everyone. No matter what race, gender, age and religion the letter was addressed for all to hear, listen and reflect. The letter calls for a new way of looking at things because of the urgent crisis we are now facing. The earth is becoming to look more and more like “an immense pile of filth”. One may think that this crisis is a lost cause, but still the letter or the document is hopeful in reminding us that because God is with us, all of us can strive to change course.
We as a nation, a group or as a person can move towards an ecological conversion, in which we can listen to the cry of the earth and the poor. This letter contains not only the institutional and moral issues of climate change and environmental degradation, but it also addresses the deeper tragedy of humanity itself. It is tempting to be overwhelmed by the enormity and the complexity of the problem when it comes to climate change and humanity’s relationship with the earth. There are many institutions and structural layers involved; social, political and now religious.
Instead of getting lost in the problem solving or despairing at the lack of apparent leadership on this issue, Pope Francis reminds us of the logic of the Gospel quoting Therese of Lisieux: We are asked to make simple daily gestures ourselves that involve living with greater integrity as human beings in harmony with all God’s creation. Grand gestures and plans will have no roots unless we as individuals are converted to an integral ecology; that is, to right relationships with ourselves, with others, with God and with all living things.
