Using an image from St. Gregory of Nyssa, Benedict XVI said the stable in Bethlehem represents our “ill-treated world,” polluted especially by the abuse of energy and its exploitation.
During his homily at Christmas Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope spoke of St. Gregory of Nyssa’s interpretation of the stable into which Christ was born. “What would he say if he could see the state of the world today, through the abuse of energy and its selfish and reckless exploitation?”
“Thus, according to Gregory’s vision, the stable in the Christmas message represents the ill-treated world. What Christ rebuilds is no ordinary place. He came to restore beauty and dignity to creation, to the universe…Christmas is the feast of restored creation.”
The Green Man, or “Masques Feuillus,” is often carved into many pre-Reformation churches in Europe, especially in England and France. The Church often embraced pre Christian symbols, festivals and sacred places, and incorporated them into their own.
The Green Man is a personification of Nature, a symbol of fertility and rebirth. In medieval minds, he is a force both benevolent and to be feared.
The Green Knight of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight serves as both monster and mentor to the young Gawain. He belongs to a world which seems antagonistic to but is in the end harmonious with the Christian one.
The Green Man of Cercles is a beautiful example of the integration of Nature into a place of worship.
“Green Canticle” will report and comment on how Catholics around the world are making the protection of the environment and the wise use of resources a part of the practice of their faith. It will also discuss the role of nature in ancient and modern Catholic spirituality.
Catholic Social Teaching emphasizes that we have the responsibility to “care for creation” by taking an active role in safeguarding the poor, the marginalized, and the health of the planet from the worse excesses of economic competition, including warfare.
The inspiration for the name of this blog came from several places.
Green is the liturgical color of life and renewal. It is also the color commonly used to designate something as environmentally-friendly.
Prayer to God, whether petition or praise, is often chanted or sung. St. Augustine’s comment, “To sing is to pray twice;” and especially, the “Canticle of the Sun” by St. Francis of Assisi, is also integral to its purpose.
St. Francis’ Canticle finds and praises God through all the elements of Nature. He expresses our admiration and kinship, and our joy in being part of it all.
