# Making our commitment sincere
*2015-10-21*

> Bill Young reflects on Pope Francis's teachings regarding the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, emphasizing that true care for the environment must include care for the poor.

## The Interconnectedness of Creation

In continuing our journey of 'Walking in Praise with Pope Francis,' we reach day 24: Making our commitment sincere. Pope Francis reminds us that care for nature without care for one another is empty. Some people speak about nature as if humans do not matter at all, but the entire web of connectedness embraces all creatures. Caring for nature means caring for humanity and realizing that every person possesses essential human dignity.

## Recognizing Our Common Bond

Do we have to look more closely to discover this dignity? Of course. That is exactly where the change needed in society begins. Recognizing that we are more alike than we are different will help us survive. We must ask ourselves: Am I truly present to all the interactions I have in a day?

## The Call to Help the Needy

We are called to love one another and help the needy. This is an ongoing daily crisis. For example, in our own charity work, we have encountered a mother living out of her car because her daughter has cancer. There are many families in desperate need of help. When you see a homeless person walking by your car, stop and ask if they need help or if they know where the nearest shelter is. If you have money to give, please give.

## The Lesson of Lazarus

Remember the passage of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man walked by Lazarus every day without helping him. When the rich man eventually spoke to Jesus and asked why he could not enter heaven, he was reminded that he had ignored Lazarus. When we help the needy and the homeless, we are not only helping them, but we are helping ourselves. As Jesus said, when you help the least of these, you are helping Him.

*True stewardship of God's creation requires us to see the common bond we share with all people and to actively serve those in need.*