That God is present in our experience, and to all of creation, is an ancient inheritance from the witness and testimony of those who have gone before us in faith. All created things are potential, and in fact, expressions of God’s eternal Word. Humanity and the foundation and creation of the cosmos in all of its pluriformity comes about through God’s hesed (loving-kindness)—the unmerited, ongoing offer of God’s steadfast love to a creation that is profoundly good, delightful, and loved. Yet, what seems clear is that the natural world has become a means to an end, and an object to be consumed, or exploited for its utility. Tragically, it is those who are most poor who suffer the effects disproportionately of environmental degradation. In the encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls us to attend to this dynamic—the destabilization and instrumentalization of our natural world and oppression of those most vulnerable, within a Creation which is nevertheless the place of encounter with Holy Mystery. And not only attend to it, but see the correction of this incongruence as the privilege and obligation of a Christian vocation.
Shortly after the encyclical came out, Fr. Bob VerEecke, SJ sent me the text to a poem he had written in response to Laudato Si’. It immediately struck me as a lyrical expression of the lament and hope sounding through Francis’ writing. It wasn’t too long before a melody presented itself to me. I spent some time adapting the poem, and added the languages of Spanish (Alabanza a Ti) and Kiswahili (Sifa na iwe) to express solidarity with the people and the places I witnessed this dynamic first hand. Finally, I added the melody and text of the hymn All Creatures of Our God and King. My hope is that this piece is a humble contribution which helps to attune us to the ongoing assurance of a God who has not turned away from a beloved Creation. A God who chooses to reveal Godself in a world which reflects the “already” and “not yet.” Our reality is brimming with the happenings of ongoing creation: dying and rising, tears and laughter, loss and loving, darkness and light, brokenness and restoration. Laudato Si’.
Laudato Si' - Praise Be
Music and text adaptation: Paul Melley
Text: Robert VerEecke, S.J, KiSwahili and Spanish added by Melley
What in the world have we done?
to this earth with all its beauty and splendor?
If we only have the eyes with which to see…
Mother Earth once teeming with all kinds of life
Now gasps for air, and thirsts for water
Can she find a way to renew her?
Can we see change? Yes, a sea change!
Laudato Si, Laudato si, Praise be, Praise be! Laudato Si, Laudato si, Praise be, Praise be! To the God who creates, and sustains all life… Oh let us sing, Laudato Si! Praise Be!
What in the world have we done?
to this earth with all its beauty and harmony?
If we only have the ears with which to hear…
Mother Earth once ringing with all kinds of sounds
Now silences the songs of beasts and birds
May she sing to us the way to renew her.
Can we hear change? (alleluia) Yes, a key change! (alleluia)
Laudato Si, Laudato si, Praise be, Praise be!
(Sifa na iwe, alabanza a Ti!)
Laudato Si, Laudato si, Praise be, Praise be!
(Sifa na iwe, alabanza a Ti!)
To the God who creates, and sustains all life… Oh let us sing, Laudato Si! Praise Be!
All creatures of our God and King! Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Bright burning sun with golden beams, Pale silver moon with softer gleams
Alleluia! Alleluia
What in the world have we done
To the earth with all the poor and suffering?
If we only gave our hands to hold and reach…
Mother Earth with great abundance for us all
Now feeding few, and wasting away
Can she unite us in a love for the world?
Will we love change? Can we be change?
[KiSwahili- Sifa na iwe: “Praise be.” Spanish- Alabanza a Ti: “Praise be to You.”]