GALANG, Czarinna Katrine G.

2B-L-140062
Law)

Dr. Christian Bryan S. Bustamante

San Beda College (College of

Chapter II of the Papal Encyclical Laudato Si:

The Gospel of Creation

Chapter 2 of the Papal Encyclical Laudato Si is a biblical account of creation

thru dealing a sentiment between science and religion. It was a summary of
religious views on the environment.
On the first part, it discussed the narrative of the Genesis. That God created
the world and all inside of it from his love. But his most important creation, is
us Humans. Because we were made from his image, and being of his image;
we have this dominion over other creations. However, it was noted that
"Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and
sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for
each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother
sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth."; and that "The earth is
essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit
everyone."
On the other hand, I agree with the thought that our relationship with God,
with other human beings and with nature has been broken, and we must
return to our obligation to use the earth's goods responsibly, and to respect
other living beings and all of creation. That humans have been cruel and
dominant with other creatures of God.
Everyone must remember that each creature has its own purpose and each
one of us is necessary. I like the use of the word necessary because it gives
the impact that everyone is important though not equally but indeed that
each has its own value. That although it may not be seen in our daily lives,
we are all entwined by a pattern designed by God, some call it destiny but I
call it Gods perfect plan. And though Morality says that we are given free
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will, we cannot change the fact that may be there is really a higher force that
linked us all together and calls us to have a relationship with him.
The responsibility of taking into account the lives and the rights of the
underprivileged is a part of the universal destination for goods. It is not all
about material things because as Laudato Si reiterated private property is
not absolute or inviolable. It is the concern for the environment coupled with
the sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering
commitment to resolving the problems of society. This is especially
important, as many people are robbing poor nations and from future
generations of what they need to survive.
But on how reality sets in, we see people who are more concerned with
protecting animals, than protecting humans. Either they are more
compassionate with the nature or animals. Thus, Laudato Si told us that
without compassion for other people, our compassion for nature is shallow.
Because Human and nature are connected and thus no humans should be
rejected or discarded.

During the life of Jesus, he has always been in constant contact with nature.
Jesus often retreated to be alone with nature, he used nature-based images
frequently, and he worked a simple job with his hands. He in many ways
have shown that earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are
meant to benefit everyone, because God created the world for everyone. A
privilege coupled with responsibility in using the resources we can all take
from the earth. An implied relationship of mutual responsibility between
human beings and nature. Each community can take from the bounty of the
earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect
the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations.

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