As Franciscans, we cherish our relationship to all things, including our relationship with our Sister Mother Earth and all that dwells upon it. Pope Francis, in his encyclical, Laudato Si, says: “This contemplation of creation allows us to discover in each thing a teaching which God wishes to hand on to us” (85). He also says: “…we need to grasp the variety of things in their multiple relationships” (86).
We, as earth’s creatures, are dependent on the entire ecosystem and have a responsibility to be prudent with it and in our contributions to it.
One example of a critical relationship is with the tiny bee. As small as it is, the bee is essential for feeding our world and supporting an entire ecosystem. Our actions have harmed that relationship, but we can take action to fix it. Take time to plant a native flower species in your yard, in a window box or in pots on your porch. Ask your local garden supplier what plants are native to your area and which are the best to attract bees. Eliminate the use of dangerous pesticides in your garden. These are small actions but they can mean a lot in a fragile ecosystem!
