Genesis 2:15 tells us that God settled man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis reiterates this truth when he says, “our relationship with the environment can never be isolated from our relationship with others and with God.” (119) Woven through the message of Laudto Si’ is the message that
environmental justice = social justice. Racial inequality, poverty and climate change are all interconnected and crying out for healing. Though the task before us may feel overwhelming, every journey starts with a single step. That first step begins with self-examination. There’s an old saying, “If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you put your feet.” So where are you putting your feet?
Sometime this week, go outside, remove your shoes, close your eyes, and let your feet truly feel the earth beneath you. As your feet take in the sensations all around them, reflect on where your feet take you each day. Are you ready to take your feet down a new path? If we are to make lasting changes in our world, we must first cultivate a mindset that is more aware of “where we put our feet.” This shift in focus will help us to act more lovingly towards our planet and the people with whom we share it.