The Season of Creation

On October 4 the season of creation comes to an end. Pope Francis is to publish on that day a follow up to Laudato Si, his encyclical on caring for our common home.   In his message for the Season of Creation Pope Francis returned to the topic of ecological conversion and the need to no longer consider creation as an object to be exploited, but as a reality to be safeguarded “as a sacred gift from our Creator.”

The Catholic Liturgical Guide for the Season of Creation includes the following ecological creed.

 Are you among those who believe in God who creates Earth and the Universe with all their rich diversity, beauty, and goodness, inviting our contemplation, wonder, and grateful awe?

 Are you among those who believe in God who entrusts Earth to the care of Earth community, inviting us to live together in justice, compassion, peace, and loving care?

Are you among those who believe in Jesus, who teaches us that love of God, each other, and creation sums up the meaning and value of life?

Are you among those who believe in Jesus, who calls us to live in ways that provide justice to all and generous compassion to those most in need?

Are you among those who believe in Jesus, God become flesh and blood, a human part of Earth, who lived and breathed, worked, prayed, and preached among us, suffered, died on a cross, and rose again, glorified, to show clearly the extent and power of God’s life and love?

Are you among those who believe in the Holy Spirit who renews life in creation, groans in empathy with a suffering creation, and waits, working with us, for the rebirth of creation?

This is our faith.

Through it we see God’s revelation emerging in new ways among us.

Through it we embrace the promise that our deepest spiritual longings will come to fulfilment through the Holy Spirit in the ages to come.

Amen

Fr Patrick O'Shea - Lower Hutt, Aotearoa/New Zealand