On Care for Our Common Home

     Over the years, Popes have issued a variety encyclicals which convey major themes in the Catholic socials teachings which cut straight to the heart of the question, what does it mean to live as a Christian at this time, in this place and with these sets of challenges? From On the Condition of labor during the industrial revolution to Peace on Earth during the cold war and atomic era, Popes, and the Catholic Church, have used worldwide events as vehicles to portray their message to the world-lessons on how to overcome such hardships humanity has faced in the past and will face in the future. Now, the newest, and arguably the most daunting problem looms before us, the degradation of out common home.
     Not only is it the Earth herself that is suffering under the hands of oppression and greed, but the poor too are finding it more challenging to live a dignified life. It is time for us to stop simply giving aid to those in need and ask ourselves, why are so many people in need in the first place, and, does this need stem from what humanity is doing to the environment? Today, it seems that too many Catholics and Christians alike have failed at trying to keep as little contradiction as possible between their beliefs and their lifestyles. As people of faith, to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we have to be concerned, and therefor willing to do something, about the poor. We can't go on any longer pretending that the fundamental principles like life and dignity of every human person and care for God's creation aren't applicable to todays atmosphere. When such denying occurs, we begin to loose our identity as Christians. It is imperative, now more than ever, for Christians to know where their values are coming from, to know what is guiding their ship, because if not we'll just be swept away with the social tide of indifference and apathy. With the future so uncertain and bleak, it is only becoming more and more crucial that we fall back on such teachings as the seven core themes that the Catholic Church urges us to live by.