Jason Carl S.

Mantilla March 10, 2017

BSPYCH-4 RS 55 F

Introduction

Pope Francis concludes his introduction with an appeal, what is your response?

Pope Francis brings to light a valid concern regarding environmental degradation as it

relates to human poverty. There are many theological, sociological, psychological, and
ecological dimensions to this encyclical. In fact, Pope Francis summarizes this thought
by saying, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social
approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to
hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Hes not promoting
pantheism/eco-worship; hes asking for ecumenism and solidarity with the poor. In those
whole encyclical chapters, the concern for the Earth includes a concern to bring the
whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development.

Chapter 1: What is happening to our common home

What is the evidence that climate change is happening and is caused by human
activity? What will be its effects?

Chapter one is partly a factual perception of what is happening to the earth; pollution
and climate change, waste and the throwaway culture (society strongly influenced by
consumerism), the issue of water, the loss of biodiversity. He links these issues with a
failure in the quality of human life, the breakdown of society, and global inequality.

Amidst all of these negative activities shines through the thought of climate as a
common good. The climate is a common good, belonging to all, and meant for all. At
the global level, it is a complex system linked to many of the essential conditions for
human life. All of the chaotic and disasters we have today such as poverty,
calamities/climate change, war and violence are all caused by human. If we are not
going to do anything to solve these issues or even to lessen its cause, we are killing the
future of our world and the next generation to come, and most of all we are failure as a
human being and a follower of Christ.

Chapter 2: The Gospel of creation

How does Francis use the Bible to support his view that the gift of the earth with its fruits
belongs to everyone?

Chapter two, entitled The Gospel of Creation. Gods love is the fundamental moving
force in all created things. and we are drawn into the act of cooperation with the
Creator. Pope articulates the tremendous responsibility of humankind for creation;
intimate connection among all creation, the natural environment is a collective good. In
other words Pope wanted us to take care of each other in all aspects of creatures and
living things here on earth. We should have a sense of deep communion with the rest of
nature, but we cannot do that if we continue to tolerate that some people consider
themselves more human than others, as if they had been born with greater rights.

Chapter 3: The human roots of the ecological crisis

What is Francis' attitude toward technology? What does he mean by the technocratic
paradigm?

In Chapter 3 Pope Francis is pretty clear where those roots lie or the causes of all the
problems, we are dealing today in our economic and political issues. The big enemy, he
says, is a world under the control of the Technocratic Paradigm. Not technology itself,
but the rich few who use technology for power and profit, who dont share fairly, and
who in their selfishness ignore the harm their greed does to the rest of humanity,
especially the poor and powerless, as well as to the environment. The technocratic
paradigm tends to dominate economic and political life. The economy accepts every
advance in technology with a view to profit, without concern for its potentially negative
impact on human beings. Finance overwhelms the real economy.

Chapter 4: Integral ecology

How does the environment of our homes, workplace, and neighborhoods affect our
quality of life (147)?

In chapter 4, Pope Frances stresses the Integral ecology as a new paradigm of justice;
an ecology which respects our unique place as human beings in this world and our
relationship to our surroundings. Ecology is the relationship of living organisms and the
environment: Everything is closely interrelated. All of creation is a web of life that
includes human and social dimensions. By environment, we mean the relationship
existing between nature and society. We ourselves are a part of nature. Since
everything is closely interrelated, and todays problems call for a vision capable of
taking into account every aspect of the global crisis, it suggests that we now consider
some elements of an integral ecology, which clearly respects human and social
dimensions.

And by that it should start within us, in our home, family, from our neighborhoods, in
school or in our workplace. Because if we dont care at all from our surroundings, it is us
people in the end will suffer from these consequences such as pollution, shortage of
goods, unhealthy environment and lifestyle. In todays context, in which, injustices
abound and growing numbers of people are deprived of basic human rights and
considered expendable, committing oneself to the common good means to make
choices in solidarity based on a preferential option for the poorest of our brothers and
sisters. The Pope defines intergenerational solidarity as the notion of the common
good extended to future generations.

Chapter 5: Lines of approach and action

What does Francis mean when he says, "There is a need to change 'models of global
development' ? What is wrong with the current models? What would the new models
look like?

In Chapter 5, Pope Francis addresses the question of what we can and must do. Pope
Francis is not afraid to judge international dynamics severely, there is no wrong or need
to change in models of global development but rather it is the failure of living up and
implement of the actions, due to political will, they were unable to reach truly meaningful
and effective global agreements on the environment. Instead Pope Francis insists on
development of honest and transparent decision making processes, in order to discern
which policies and business initiatives can bring about genuine integral development
and good governance. We need to develop more efficiently organized international
institutions to address global warming and poverty. There is urgent need of a true world
political authority to address these issues.

Chapter 6: Ecological education and spirituality

What are the attitudes that foster a spirit of generous care?

For me personally, the attitude that fosters of a spirit of generous care is to live joyful
and authentically not just with ourselves but as well as for others, to be able to give
more and not expecting in return. We're all wired for generosity and compassion. No
one is born hating another person. If people can learn to hate they can also be taught to
love. In Chapter 6, Pope Frances invites everyone to the heart of ecological conversion.
The starting point is to aim for a new lifestyle in this way, we must regain the
conviction that we need one another that we have a shared responsibility for others and
the world, and that being good and decent are worth it.
Write psalm 8 say about the human person.

To give back glory to God!

Psalm 8 messages about the majesty and greatness of God, as well as His grace in
caring for man and his people. This is a psalm of pure praise and goodness of God of
how powerful our Lord is. We have plenty opportunity to praise the Lord for the
blessings that He has bestowed upon us. We must be careful not to only come to God
in times of affliction with petitions, but to also come to Him in times of blessing with
praise.

The psalm begins and ends with the same statement of praise, that God's majesty is
manifest throughout the earth. In between, David proves these statements of praise by
speaking first of God's majesty that is visible in His creation in general, David noted that
God created man a little lower than the angels, and even set man over the works of His
hands, including the animals, birds, and fish (3-8). After David was regained by Jesus
Christ by following him, he said that God would visit the earth. He came as Jesus.

David concludes the psalm with his statement of praise: "O LORD, our Lord, how
majestic is your name in all the earth!" David repeats his opening statement of praise,
and indeed, our Lord is worthy to be praised over and over again. God is indeed
glorious and majestic

Write your own prayer of praise about the gift of your dignity, freedom and
conscience.

Heavenly father, Thank you for loving me and for calling me to come closer to you.
Thank you for never giving up on me even if I have often strayed away from you. For
the many times you have been faithful to your promises despite all my unfaithfulness,
sins, failures and weaknesses. Thank you for your concern for my spiritual life and for
planting in me this desire to draw closer to you. Thank you for your healing mercy and
forgiveness for the many ways i have offended you in my thoughts, words and actions. I
come before you now with a humble heart asking and seeking healing for my times of
prayerlessness due to laziness or giving higher priority to my other interests and
activities.

Heal me for the times I have depended on my own efforts or the efforts of others and
disregarded you. For the times I was blinded by my self-centeredness and many worldly
concerns and easily gave in to temptations. Create in me a clean heart. Give me the
grace to put you as priority in my life at all times and to turn away from sin or occasions
and influences that lead to sin. Give me the desire to pray as often as I can. Lift me up
when my prayer seems dry and empty when I feel as though my prayers are not being
heard. Strengthen me with patience and perseverance when trials and obstacles make
me feel like giving up. Guide me in the right path that leads only to you.

Yes, Lord, Your name is majestic in all the earth. Let us never forget the greatness of
your glory that is manifest throughout your creation. May your name be greatly praised
on earth! Thank you for being mindful of us your people, humble as we are. Thank You,
especially, for caring for us so much that You sent Your Son to die for us. In His name,
we pray these things, Amen.