With the surprise announcement of this week's new work of mercy, I started thinking through all the lofty works of literature and film I could pull to reflect on regarding the theme of care for our common home. I went through classics, modern novels, beautiful films, and was inspired by none of them. The holiday weekend is probably to blame. Then, someone mentioned one of my favorite films, Wall-E. Yes, this is not only obvious, but a children's film. Often, it takes the obvious to remind us of something obvious. It takes the truth that children desire to break through the excuses adults build.
I find Wall-E one of the most humane and compassionate characters in the Disney & Pixar universe. With no spoken lines beyond the charming, "Eeeevvvvvaaaaa," Wall-E demonstrates all the best that we humans could hope to aspire to be.
The message of the dangers of rampant consumerism and the dangers of disregard for the environment form the overt message.
The more subtle message develops in how Wall-E forms community. He begins with one little friend, truly the least of all the creatures - a cockroach. He then reaches out to the first humans he encounters on the spacecraft, not only interacting with them, but forming connections between others so they form community.
Wall-E cares for all around him, with devotion and utter lack of selfishness. The juxtaposition of Wall-E's compassion and dedication to the well-being of others is all the more striking in a character that is a robot.
To truly care for our common home, we must begin from a place of compassion for our neighbor and selflessness. Care for our common home, as Wall-E embodies is the call to live lives in community, in constant work towards the common good, and recognizing that all we have and all we do is as stewards of God's creation.
Jennifer Delvaux
Director of Faith Formaiton
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