Works of Love
Chapter 2: Season of Creation
updated September 10, 2020
The Season of Creation begins on September 1 and continues through October 4 (the feast of St. Francis of Assisi). Christians around the world are encouraged to pray for the care of Creation and discern ways to act.
The increasing threats to Creation and the natural world are well documented, as are the impacts of these changes on human life and society. Moreover, we know that it is the poor and marginalized around the world, who are enduring, and will continue to suffer, the effects most acutely.
This is an issue that affects nearly every aspect of our lives. In particular, we must see this for the spiritual and moral crisis that it is — the product of a "throwaway culture" that views Creation as a disposable resource to be used without limitation. We must encourage our governments, work-places, communities, and families to act decisively. And we must seek the continuing conversion of our own hearts. What in our lives do we take for granted? Do we approach all of Creation in gratitude to God — even down to the little things like a tasty meal or a gallon of gas?
We call ourselves "contemplatives in action," because we understand that we are on a journey toward God, and until we meet Jesus face to face we always have more to do.
So, let us pray...
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
who are so precious in your eyes...
God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
God of mercy, may we receive your forgiveness
and convey your mercy throughout our common home.
Praise be to you!
Amen.
(from Pope Francis' message on the 2016 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.)
SEASON OF CREATION | Pope Francis
Pope Francis' 2020 Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
The theme for the 2020 Season of Creation is Jubilee for the Earth. "In the Holy Scriptures," Pope Francis writes, "a Jubilee is a sacred time to remember, return, rest, restore, and rejoice."
The Highlights:
"Particularly during this Season of Creation, may we be attentive to the rhythms of this created world. For the world was made to communicate the glory of God, to help us to discover in its beauty the Lord of all, and to return to him. The earth from which we were made is thus a place of prayer and meditation."
Some more learning (in case you're interested)...
ENCYCLICALLaudato Si', Pope FrancisVIDEOFood, Farming, and Faith, Norman WirzbaWEBSITESeasonofCreation.orgARTICLESr. Dorothy Stang, Martyr of the Amazon, John Dear (National Catholic Reporter)
Pope Francis ends his message for the Season of Creation with this prayer: "May God, “the lover of life” (Wis. 11:26), grant us the courage to do good without waiting for someone else to begin, or until it is too late."
So let's jump right in!
Opportunities to Do Something Greater:
MAKE A CHANGE | Catholic Climate Covenant
Resist the Throw-Away Culture: 9 Tips for Living with Less Plastic
The Church encourages us to resist our "throw-away" culture that treats everything, including people, as items to be used and discarded. Here are nine simple ways you can begin.
TAKE THE CHALLENGE | Ignatian Solidarity Network
Fast from meat or palm oil on Fridays or throughout the Season of Creation.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline meant to draw our attention to God. First, learn how fasting from meat and palm oil can draw you closer to God. Then, decide how you are going to fast. Click here to start.
TAKE A WALK | The Great Outdoors
Find God in the natural world.
Here's one example of someone who found God in a unique way in nature. Slow down, listen, notice the beauty of God's Creation, and express gratitude to God.
How to Be Kinder to Yourself, Bob Burnham, OFS (Busted Halo)
We conclude by giving thanks to God, reflecting on how God was present to us and what God was inviting us to do.
I give thanks to God for creation and for being wonderfully made.
I ask for the grace to see creation as God does – in all its splendor and suffering.
I ask for the grace to look closely to see how my life choices impact creation and the poor and vulnerable.
I ask for the grace of conversion towards ecological justice and reconciliation.
I ask for the grace to reconcile my relationship with God, creation and humanity, and to stand in solidarity through my actions.
I offer a closing prayer for the earth and the vulnerable in our society.
(From the "Ecological Examen," created by the Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology and the Ignatian Solidarity Network.)