The celebration of the Season of Creation doesn’t end until October 4. How appropriate that it lands during autumn when trees burst into color. It was just announced that Pope Francis’s second letter on the environment is Laudate Deum (Praise God). Here is another post related to creation.
First, here is a prayer from the United States Bishops Conference:
A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation (from Laudato Si’, 246).
Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!
Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father’s love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.
The following questions may prompt you to realize your connection with creation:
• What is your favorite flower?
I like plumeria, which I was introduced to in Hawaii. Second, of course is the rose, probably most people’s favorite. My mother was especially proud of her roses like the multicolored ones.
• Where is a place in this world where you were awed by beauty?
In Vancouver at the top of a ski mountain the water, islands, and sky were a soft picture of pale blue, purple, and white. I tried to imprint it in my brain so I could call it forth whenever I wanted.
• What animal is special to you?
I like lions…like Aslan! At the St. Louis Zoo a friend and I were in the cafeteria when a sound like thunder shook the room. We ran outside to see a lion roaring. His mate was calmly lying down, ignoring him.
• What tree means a lot to you?
From my balcony in the distance I see a tree that is perfectly formed, now mostly hidden by trees in front of it. When I need to center myself in prayer, I look at that tree. It makes me think of God.
• What kind of weather do you enjoy?
I like thunderstorms (as long as they don’t make us lose power). As an eighth grader I wrote a composition about an approaching storm: the loud cracks of thunder and the lightning flashes.
• What body of water do you like to sit by?
I enjoy sitting on the shore of the Caloosahatchee River in Cape Coral, Florida, when the waves are lapping against the rocks. I videotaped the scene with my phone so now I have my own “Calm” music.
Of course, the most precious creations are people, all kinds!
