Pray with the Pope Reflection - September 2025

Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ

Friday, September 12, 2025

My brothers and sisters: In this month of September, the Holy Father invites us to pray for our relationship with all of creation, that, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

It is indisputable that the relationship between humanity and Creation is one of interdependence. We depend on each other for both our survival and thriving.

As we have learnt from the Book of Genesis, our relationship with Creation is not one of dominance but stewardship. It is the Lord who has given us this responsibility; we have not seized it for ourselves. God is the one who gives meaning and determines the right relationships.

We are challenged to make right our relationship, to change our relationship with Creation for the better by seeing them as what they are: They are created by our Creator God, and God sees them as good. This goes beyond an intellectual conviction; rather, this is a conversion of the heart.

We can draw inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi. This is a saint who literally preached to the animals, which highlights the understanding that there is a right relationship to be had with Creation. The basis of this relationship is the title of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si': Praise be to you, Creator God!

It is to change from a mentality of “I do what I want and nobody can tell me otherwise” to one that is intentional, to see Creation as God sees it: That they are all very good and worthy to be respected. May God bless you today.