The creation and the care of the Amazon 

Seeds of hope

The Amazon, a marvelous gift from God. This vast and rich ecosystem is one of the lungs of the world, a source of life and biodiversity, and a sacred land for so many indigenous communities.

Creation in the light of the Gospel

The Gospel constantly reminds us of our call to be stewards of creation. In the Book of Genesis, we are told that God saw all that He had made, and it was very good (Gen 1:31). This inherent goodness of creation calls us to protect and respect it. Jesus Himself, in His ministry, showed us how to live in harmony with nature, using images of the field, birds, and flowers to teach us about the Kingdom of God (Mt 6:26-30).

Thoughts of Pope Francis on creation

Pope Francis, in his encyclical Laudato Si', calls us to an ecological conversion, to rediscover our relationship with creation and with all living beings. He tells us: “We are dust of the earth; our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air, and we receive life and refreshment from her waters” (Laudato Si', 2). This intimate connection reminds us that any harm to nature is harm to humanity itself.

The Pope also speaks to us about the Amazon as a place where creation is manifested in all its splendor, but also as a region facing serious threats. In the Amazon Synod, he urged us to listen to both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor, recognizing that both are deeply interconnected.

The importance of caring for the Amazon

The Amazon is crucial not only for its biodiversity but also for the vital role it plays in regulating the global climate. Deforestation, indiscriminate exploitation of resources, and the displacement of indigenous communities not only destroy nature but also undermine justice and human dignity.

As Christians, we are called to be seeds of hope amid these difficulties. Every act of care, every effort to protect and restore the Amazon, is a seed that can grow and bear fruit. Our commitment to ecological and social justice is a response to God’s love for all His creation.

Inspired by the Gospel and guided by the teachings of Pope Francis, let us make our lives a testimony of hope and care. May our daily actions reflect our commitment to creation, protecting and nurturing the Amazon and all the ecosystems of our planet.

May Mary, our mother, who knew how to live in harmony with creation, guide and accompany us on this journey. And may we always be seeds of hope, planted in God’s love and growing in the care of our common home.

* Jose Domingos Barão is a Priest of Foreign Mission Society of Quebec. He was born in Tefe, state of Amazonas, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazonia. After a period of pastoral ministry in Kenya, he is now the parish priest of the community "Paróquia Nossa Senhora das Dores", in Manaus.