WHEN WE READ IN THE GOSPEL THAT JESUS SPEAKS OF BIRDS, AND SAYS THAT “NONE OF THEM IS FORGOTTEN IN THE SIGHT OF GOD” (LK 12:6): CAN WE STILL MISTREAT THEM OR HURT THEM? I INVITE ALL CHRISTIANS TO MAKE THIS DIMENSION OF THEIR CONVERSION EXPLICIT, ALLOWING THE STRENGTH AND LIGHT OF THE GRACE RECEIVED TO EXTEND ALSO TO THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER CREATURES AND WITH THE WORLD AROUND THEM, AND TO FOSTER THIS SUBLIME FRATERNITY WITH ALL CREATION, WHICH ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI LIVED IN SUCH A LUMINOUS WAY.