From the beauty of a sunrise over a quiet field to the rich soil that feeds our communities, creation is more than just scenery, it’s a sacred gift. We are called to cherish, protect, and sustain the world God entrusted to us. In his encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis reminded us that care for our common home is not an optional or secondary issue. It is a moral and spiritual obligation.
Here are five compelling reasons why Catholics should care for creation:
1. Creation Is a Gift from God
The very first words of Scripture affirm a foundational truth: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). All that exists (land, sea, sky, animals, and people) comes from the loving hand of the Creator. God not only made the earth, but declared it “very good.”
To care for creation is to honor the gift. Disregarding or abusing it is a form of ingratitude. Just as we show respect for a painting by caring for the canvas and frame, so too do we show reverence for God by tending to His masterpiece.
In rural communities especially, where life is intertwined with the land, this truth is lived out daily. The soil, the seasons, and the creatures of the earth aren’t abstract concepts, they are neighbors in the shared household of God’s creation.
2. We Are Called to Be Stewards
In Genesis 2:15, God places Adam in the Garden of Eden “to till it and keep it.” This is the biblical foundation of stewardship. We are caretakers, not consumers, of the earth. Catholic teaching has long upheld this principle: creation is entrusted to us for the good of all, not to be dominated or exploited for selfish gain.
Being a good steward means using resources wisely, preserving them for future generations, and ensuring that our actions do not harm others, especially the vulnerable. It’s a role that comes with responsibility and reverence.
For farmers, ranchers, and others in rural life, this call is often intuitive. Their livelihood depends on a balanced relationship with nature, but it’s also a spiritual reality. When we cultivate land with care, raise animals with dignity, and live within the limits of natural systems, we fulfill our God-given vocation as stewards of creation.
3. Creation and the Poor Are Interconnected
Pope Francis emphasized in Laudato Si’: “We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental.” The destruction of ecosystems, pollution, and climate change disproportionately affect the world’s poorest communities.
For Catholics, care for creation is inseparable from our concern for human dignity. It’s not just about saving trees or animals, it’s about protecting human life, especially the lives of those pushed to the margins. In rural areas, where agriculture is vulnerable to drought, flooding, and extreme weather, creation care is also about economic justice and survival.
Supporting clean water, sustainable farming practices, and environmental policies that respect both people and the planet is a way to love our neighbor, especially those who are poor, displaced, or suffering due to environmental degradation.
4. Creation Reflects the Glory of God
Nature is not only useful, it is revelatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world” (CCC 36). In other words, creation speaks of its Creator.
The rising sun, the vastness of the night sky, and the intricacy of a leaf all proclaim the glory and majesty of God. In rural life, this truth is often easier to recognize. A walk through a pasture, a quiet moment by a stream, or the scent of freshly turned earth all invite us into wonder and worship.
Saint Francis of Assisi understood this well. He called the sun his “brother” and the moon his “sister.” His life was a living hymn of praise to the Creator through creation. We are invited to adopt that same posture of awe, gratitude, and responsibility.
5. The Church Calls Us to Ecological Conversion
Pope Saint John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have all called for an “ecological conversion”, a change of heart that recognizes the moral dimensions of environmental care. This isn’t a political stance; it’s a deeply Catholic one.
Ecological conversion means viewing the world through the lens of faith, seeing creation not just as a resource to be used, but as a gift to be protected. It invites us to examine our lifestyles, reduce waste, consume less, and make choices that promote sustainability and justice.
For rural Catholics, this might look like supporting local food systems, conserving water, planting trees, or rotating crops wisely. For urban Catholics, it might mean reducing energy use, choosing environmentally responsible products, or buying local produce.
No matter where we live, we can all take steps toward living in harmony with creation.
Conclusion: A Call to Faithful Action
Caring for creation is not a new or trendy idea. As Catholics, we are called to see the world not just with our eyes, but with hearts formed by Scripture, tradition, and the teachings of the Church.
By honoring creation, we honor the Creator. By protecting the earth, we protect the poor. And by living as faithful stewards, we participate in God’s ongoing work of love and restoration.
The Earth is our common home. Let’s care for it together, prayerfully and with purpose.
