One of my favorite songs of all time is “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. The melody, the lyrics, and that distinct voice really conjure up beautiful images in my mind. It’s a peaceful song, and every time I hear it, I’m reminded of all the gifts the world holds for us, the beauty of God’s creation, and the wonder of our humanity.

While it is truly a wonderful world, it is also a fallen world, where all of creation is striving to make its way back to God.

The Holy Father’s monthly prayer intention for September was that: “Inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.” It’s a powerful prayer that made me think of both Armstrong’s song and how different things could be if only there was more love, respect, and cooperation among peoples.

Pope Leo XIV elaborated on this intention in a video released the first week of September (distributed by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network):

Lord, You love everything You have created, and nothing exists outside the mystery of Your tenderness. Every creature, no matter how small, is the fruit of Your love and has a place in this world. … Help us to discover Your presence in all creation, so that, in fully recognizing it, we may feel and know ourselves to be responsible for this common home where You invite us to care for, respect, and protect life in all its forms and possibilities.

Every year in October the Catholic Church celebrates Respect Life Month, a blessed time to ponder how we can do more to defend and protect all human life, from conception to natural death, and encourage all human flourishing. A good first step is understanding who we are, at the deepest level, and sharing that insight with people in our lives.

And the insight is: in becoming one of us in all ways except sin, Jesus Christ revealed the profound dignity of every human person. This God-given dignity does not change with a person’s stage of life, abilities, level of independence, or any other varying circumstance. Rather, it is rooted in the permanent fact that each person is made in the image and likeness of God, created to share in the very life of God himself.

This Church teaching is the cure for much that ails our society, including the scourges of selfishness and hatred that lead to nothing but darkness and division.

It’s fitting that October is also World Mission Month, because an important way to show that we respect all life is by serving those having the greatest need. While for most of us our mission field is daily life, it is important to remember, assist, and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are involved in global missionary work, particularly in third-world countries.

Both the Respect Life and World Mission initiatives remind us that we are all part of one human family, united in God’s love. These actions, along with good stewardship of creation, are important parts of building up a culture of life, which joyfully proclaims the truth of God’s love, purpose, and plan for each person.

I recognize that it doesn’t always feel like a “wonderful world.” If you’re anything like me, you often find yourself struggling and asking, “Where is God in all of this mess?” If we look hard enough, I truly believe we find the answer.

We must continue to do the hard work to promote a culture of life all over the world. There are many ways to approach this, but it all begins with the conversion of our own hearts. We must be willing to say “yes” to God’s will, even when we don’t understand it, and to stay close to His Son—the source of joy and love.

Yeah, Louis Armstrong was right. It is a wonderful world. As Pope Leo said, it’s “a mystery to be contemplated with gratitude and hope.” So, let us all start by thanking God for His gift of creation and for the part that we get to play in it. Then, let us get busy in the good work of growing the Kingdom of God, until all people come to know the Light of Christ.

David Cooley

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