Laudato Si: A leap into the solitude of nature

A couple of months before, I was residing in a beautiful place and had an opportunity to go through the recent encyclical of Pope Francis; Laudato Si (Praise be to You).  It led me to leap into the solitude of silence.  The peaceful nature of environment made the leap of humanity more speedy and rapid. The expressing beauty and promising invitation of nature to peacefulness were well realized in those days. Normal days were beautified with the surrounding hills, misty mornings and fetching woodlands.  Those were restored newness in life; a moment of innovation.  Yes, life was focusing into live a peaceful life in this small paradise.  How Pope Francis correctly said, “The universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely. Hence, there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail, in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s face.” (No. 233)

Those attractive moments were well connected with the life of Jesus. I am constantly reminded of Jesus’ departure from the noisy crowd and the company of Apostles, to be with His Father in solitude and in prayer.  This was, further, shown to the humanity through saints like St. Francis of Assisi.  That may be the reason; the no. 84 of Laudato Si has been specially attractive: “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God.”

In silence we are prompted to create a strong relation with the almighty and clearly hear the inner voice of heart.  “A healthy relationship with creation is one dimension of overall personal conversion, which entails the recognition of our errors, sins, faults and failures, and leads to heartfelt repentance and desire to change.” (no. 218)  Doesn’t our mind and heart invite us to be in silence?