You have probably had the experience when meeting someone who you knew in childhood of being remembered as you were instead of how you are. We can understand the gospel scene when the people of Nazareth who remember Jesus as a skinny kid with a cowlick found it difficult to recognize him as a preacher, mighty in word and deed. “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?” They found it hard to separate the message from the messenger. Society today seems to be making the same error when they hear about climate change. Those who are promoting the idea can seem like a cock-eyed, tree-hugging hippies so we can feel free to ignore their message. That makes Pope Francis’ reminder that the earth is our “common home” all the more significant. His message is not simply good advice but a religious imperative.
