Knowledge
We continue in the 2024 Season of Creation with the theme To Hope and Act with Creation. It is a time to pause and find anew our purpose for the work of caring for creation. We will center prayer in our journey to continue developing an eco-spirituality.
The symbol for this year’s season is The Firstfruits of Hope. Hope is often hard to come by when I think of the health of the planet. Perhaps I should not admit that, seeing as I am a promoter of Justice Peace and Care of Creation for a group of religious women whose charism is simply sharing the Goodness of God. Still, I struggle.
The Season of Creation talks about Hope this way, “Hope is an instrument enabling us to overcome the natural law of decay. Hope is given to us by God as a protection and guard against futility. Only through hope we may realize the gift of freedom in fullness. Freedom to act not only to achieve enjoyment and prosperity, but to reach the stage in which we are free and responsible.”
I have misunderstood hope as a passive act. Hope is an act of resistance.
Prayer
PRAYING WITH THE FORESTS By Deacon Alirio Cáceres Aguirre
From the hidden roots of the trees, in humble dialogue with the humus and the mysteries of the subsoil, We praise you God.
Precious Community of Infinite Love, For the gift of life, your hope and your comfort. With each nest and each fruit, With each fallen leaf turned into food. We praise you, Creator Spirit
By the grace of your love and your main commandment
By flying rivers and groundwater For the connection of the biome and the biodiverse communion
We praise you, O Lord, for your immense kindness in which each creature evolves, immersed.
Everything is connected.
Everything is interlinked.
We apologize for breaking the whole For giving rise to sin
We apologize for denying your love For wanting to violate, for the evil ego.
This is an excerpt from a larger prayer. It can be found in the Catholic resources of the Interfaith Rainforest Alliance.
Action
The Season of Creation is an interfaith and global movement. Each year they provide several opportunities for engagement.
May I interest you in a theological reflection on Hope?
Would you consider joining with people across the globe and signing the faith letter in support of the Fossil Fuels Non-proliferation Treaty?
The Congregation of St Joseph will publish daily meditations during the Season of Creation. You may visit the webpage daily.
”Courage! The more crosses you have, the more your soul will grow. Let the good God act.” - St. Julie Billiart