endangered. We see this in the story ofNoah, where God threatens to do awaywith humanity because
of its constant failure to fulfil the requirements of justice and peace: “I have determined tomake an end
of all flesh; for the earth is filledwith violence through them” (
Gen
6:13). These ancient stories, full of
symbolism, bear witness to a conviction which we today share, that everything is interconnected, and
that genuine care for our own lives and our relationships with nature is inseparable from fraternity,
justice and faithfulness to others.
71.
Although “the wickedness of man was great in the earth” (
Gen
6:5) and the Lord “was sorry
that he hadmademan on the earth” (
Gen
6:6), nonetheless, throughNoah, who remained innocent and
just, God decided to open a path of salvation. In this way he gave humanity the chance of a new
beginning. All it takes is one goodperson to restore hope! The biblical tradition clearly shows that this
renewal entails recovering and respecting the rhythms inscribed in nature by the hand of the Creator.
We see this, for example, in the law of the Sabbath. On the seventh day, God rested from all hiswork.
He commanded Israel to set aside each seventh day as a day of rest, a
Sabbath
, (cf.
Gen
2:2-3;
Ex
16:23; 20:10). Similarly, every seven years, a sabbatical year was set aside for Israel, a complete rest
for the land (cf.
Lev
25:1-4), when sowing was forbidden and one reaped onlywhat was necessary to
live on and to feed one’s household (cf.
Lev
25:4-6). Finally, after seven weeks of years, which is to
say forty-nine years, the Jubileewas celebrated as a year of general forgiveness and “liberty throughout
the land for all its inhabitants” (cf.
Lev
25:10). This law came about as an attempt to ensure balance
and fairness in their relationshipswithothers andwith the land onwhich they lived andworked. At the
same time, it was an acknowledgment that the gift of the earth with its fruits belongs to everyone.
Those who tilled and kept the land were obliged to share its fruits, especially with the poor, with
widows, orphans and foreigners in their midst: “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not
reap your field to its veryborder, neither shall yougather the gleanings after theharvest. And you shall
not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave
them for the poor and for the sojourner” (
Lev
19:9-10).
72.
The Psalms frequently exhort us to praise God the Creator, “who spread out the earth on the
waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever” (
Ps
136:6). They also inviteother creatures to join us in
this praise: “Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest
heavens, and youwaters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded
