The Glory of God's Creation

 

This past weekend I had the opportunity to drive up to Malone, New York for a meeting with our Associates there.  It was an incredible drive filled with so much beauty and recalling fond memories.  As we drove north, I keep seeing trees in various stages of change.  The colors varied from green, yellow, orange, and red.  The further north the deeper the color changes.  It was a moment of awe and wonder in the glory of God.

During the drive I kept thinking of Marty Haugen’s song, the Canticle of the Sun.

           The heavens are telling the glory of God,         

           And all creation is shouting for joy!

           Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,

           And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

 

Praise for the sun, the bringer of day,

He carries the light of the Lord in his rays;

The moon and the stars who light up the way unto your throne!

 

Praise for the wind that blows through the trees,

The seas' mighty storms, the gentlest breeze;

They blow where they will

They blow where they please to please the Lord!

 

Praise for the rain that waters our fields,

And blesses our crops so all the earth yields;

From death unto life her mystery revealed

Springs forth in joy!

 

Praise for the earth,

Who makes life grow

The creatures you made to let your life show;

The flowers and trees that help us to know

The heart of love

 

As we drove through the mountains, I kept recalling this song and simply enjoyed the beauty surrounding me.  During this fall season take some time to enjoy the beautiful gift of the change of seasons.

 

Gratitude

 

In our readings today we are invited to reflect on gratitude.  St. Teresa of Ávila once said, “In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.”  We are reminded to be grateful for the many blessings our God has showered upon us each day.  As I thought about gratitude, I came across the poem by Rumi.  May we always have hearts full of gratitude.

 

Guest House

An Inspiring Poem About Gratitude

Written by 13th Century Persian poet, Rumi

~~~~~

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

 

Season of Creation Concludes

 

The 2022 Season of Creation closes with the celebration of the feast of 

St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th.  The prayer/reflection below was 

prepared by Mary Ann Dooling and Pat Harris from UrsulineAcademy

in St. Louis.  

       

                                                The Season of Creation/Service of Commitment

 

As followers of Angela, we share her Franciscan roots and her love of 

all creation. Angela, who found beauty and strength in the world around

her, calls us to be lovers and stewards of the world God has entrusted 

to us.

 

Opening Song: Canticle of the Sun 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=CfJ6WJPUff8

 

Reading: The universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely. Hence,

there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail,

in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s face. The ideal is not only to pass 

from the exterior to the interior to discover the action of God in the

soul, but also to discover God in all things. Saint Bonaventure teaches 

us that “contemplation deepens the more we feel the working of God’s

grace within our hearts, and the better we learn to encounter God in

creatures outside ourselves.” Laudato Si #233.

 

Response of Gratitude

 

For the galaxies, the stars, the solar system which ignited into the 

wonder, the beauty,vand ecstasy of the Universe.  We Thank You.

 

For all creatures, may they open our ears and move our hearts and 

teach us to contemplate and listen to the voice of each as they declare 

your glory. We Thank You.

 

For the cries and pleas of indigenous people, women and the whole 

bioverse; let us listen and hear their voices and laments; let us be 

grateful for their continuing care of the earth. We Thank You.

 

For the Voice that is telling us what to do; the time spent in reflection 

on the vastness of creation: and the gratitude for our ability to continue

to stand on this holy ground. We Thank You.

 

For the determination to imitate the Creator's love and care for creation 

as a "brother", a "sister", a “neighbor" as we live out our growing 

convictions. We Thank You.

 

For the resolve to promise direction and hope, commitment, and love for 

the Earth and Humankind. We Thank You.

 

Reflection: I Will Be a Hummingbird  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMW6YWjMxw

Commitment

 

Have hope and firm faith in God, for God will help you in everything.

St.  Angela

 

As a follower of Angela and member of the Ursuline family, I promise:

~ to advocate for those who lack the power to advocate for themselves

~ to recognize all of God’s creation as gift and worthy of care

~ to live simply and not adopt a consumerist mentality

~ to learn more about the true costs and advantages of the          

   “green economy”

~ to engage with others in specific action to improve our local 

   environment

~ to investigate more about the impact of my actions on climate change

~ to spend time in nature celebrating the wonder of creation.

Closing Prayer: God of all life, guide and strengthen us that we may truly be 

co-creators and cosustainers with you. Grant us the insights and energy 

to fulfill your call to us to respect, repair and renew your precious of 

creation.  We pray in the name of our brother Jesus and through the

intercession of Saint Angela. Amen.

Season of Creation Week 5

Where are there “burning bush” signs of hope for our future?

As we draw near the end of this Season of Creation, it might be helpful to recognize the signs of hope that are there for us if we take the time to look. There are “burning bushes’ to be seen globally and locally. Included here are some of those and some words to encourage us to be people of hope.

Significant strides have been made in cutting world poverty in the last two decades. (See report from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at  https://www.gatesfoundation.org/goalkeepers/report/2022-report/

Let them know with absolute certainty that they will not be abandoned in their needs. God will provide for them wonderfully well. Angela (6th Counsel)

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

Nearly half of the largest companies in the US now recognize that it is everyone’s responsibility to tackle climate change and preserve our planet for future generations. What is more, as some of the world’s largest energy users, businesses have a unique opportunity to lead. https://www.worldwildlife.org/

Have hope and firm faith in God, for God will help you with everything. (Angela, Prologue)

But the eyes of God are on those who hope is in God’s unfailing love. (Ps 33:18)

Global Fishing Watch (https://globalfishingwatch.org.) use cutting-edge technology to turn big data into actionable information. Its purpose is to create and publicly share knowledge about human activity at sea to enable fair and sustainable use of our ocean.

If you strive to live like this, without doubt, God will be with you. (Angela, Last Counsel)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jerimiah 29:11)

Where do you see signs of hope in your community? in your local area? in your own choices? How can you be a sign of hope for others, simple steps, how might you share those steps, hopes?

Season of Creation Week 4

Fourth Week of Season of Creation

In this Season of Creation, we are asked to contemplate the

image of the burning bush. Moses realized that he stood on

holy ground and he knew that God was asking something

special of him and would be with him, giving him strength

and wisdom to accomplish what was being asked.

 

We have spent time reflecting on the vastness of creation,

giving thanks “In the Name of All that Is”, and lamenting in

recognition of the devastation and destruction that is so present in our times.

 

With Moses, we continue to stand on holy ground realizing that the voice we hear

in each corner of our earth is the voice of God.

Let us listen now to what this voice is telling us to do.

The Jesuit Examen is a wonderful process to help us reflect on our experience of

God’s presence in our lives and on our response to what God is asking of us.

As you follow the link below to this ecological examen video on YouTube,

remember that you can pause the reflection to move at your own pace

or for sharing if you do this as a group….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLJeg3-hPEw

Season of Creation Prayer

Give us hearts to listen for the good news of your promise

to renew the face of the Earth.

Enlighten us with the grace to follow the Way of Christ

as we learn to walk lightly upon this holy ground.

Fill us with the hope to quench the fires of injustice with the light

of your healing love that sustains our common home.

September 11th -- Never Forget

Sunday, September 11th, marks the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. We remember and pray for all the souls lost and families affected by the tragedy.



O God of love, compassion, and healing,

look on us, people of many different faiths

and traditions,

who gather today at this site,

the scene of incredible violence and pain.

We ask you in your goodness

to give eternal light and peace

to all who died here--

the heroic first-responders:

our fire fighters, police officers,

emergency service workers, and

Port Authority personnel,

along with all the innocent men and women

who were victims of this tragedy

simply because their work or service

brought them here on September 11, 2001.

We ask you, in your compassion

to bring healing to those

who, because of their presence here that day,

suffer from injuries and illness.

Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families

and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

Give them strength to continue their lives

with courage and hope.

We are mindful as well

of those who suffered death, injury, and loss

on the same day at the Pentagon and in

Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Our hearts are one with theirs

as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering.

God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world:

peace in the hearts of all men and women

and peace among the nations of the earth.

Turn to your way of love

those whose hearts and minds

are consumed with hatred.

God of understanding,

overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,

we seek your light and guidance

as we confront such terrible events.

Grant that those whose lives were spared

may live so that the lives lost here

may not have been lost in vain.

Comfort and console us,

strengthen us in hope,

and give us the wisdom and courage

to work tirelessly for a world

where true peace and love reign

among nations and in the hearts of all.

Amen.

Pope Benedict XI--Prayer at Ground Zero

New York, 20 April 2008

Season of Creation Week 2

 

Each week during the Season of Creation our USA JPIC Team is sharing a reflection.  The reflection for  Week 2 was prepared by Sr. Maureen Welch, OSU

In this Season of Creation, we pray that you would call to us, as from the burning bush, with the sustaining fire of your Spirit. Breathe upon us. Open our ears and move our hearts.  Turn us from our inward gaze. Teach us to contemplate your creation and listen for the voice of each creature declaring your glory.

You are invited to watch “In the Name of All That Is” by Jan Novotko at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AnLgVreNic

Reflection: What are the voices of creation that you are being invited to listen to?

For what do you give thanks?

Prayer: Canticle of Creation St. Francis of Assisi

O Most High, all-powerful, good Lord God, to you belong praise, glory, honour and all blessing. Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation and especially for our Brother Sun, who brings us the day and the light; he is strong and shines magnificently. O Lord, we think of you when we look at him.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon, and for the stars which you have set shining and lovely in the heavens. Be praised, my Lord, for our Brothers Wind and Air and every kind of weather by which you, Lord, uphold life in all your creatures.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water, who is very useful to us, and humble and precious and  pure. Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire, through whom you give us light in the darkness: he is bright and lively and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Earth, our Mother, who nourishes us and sustains us, bringing forth fruits and vegetables of many kinds and flowers of many colours.  

Be praised, my Lord, for those who forgive for love of you; and for those who bear sickness  and weakness in peace and patience - you will grant them a crown.

Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Death, whom we must all face. I praise and bless you, Lord, and I give thanks to you, and I will serve you in all humility.