Oct. 3, 2021
1st Reading: Genesis 2:18-24, Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6, 2nd Reading: Hebrews 2:9-11, Gospel: Mark 10:2-16
REFLECTION
Today we celebrate the end of the Season of Creation, a time when we celebrate all that is part of our beautiful world, God’s creation. A time of love.
We know our world is suffering. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’s encyclical on Care for Our Common Home (2015), we are asked to hear the cry of the earth, to awaken to what is happening to God’s creation. Let us reflect on “the roots of the environmental crisis as a deeply spiritual crisis because we have forgotten who we are and where we come from” (Laudato Si’). We are called to reconnect with God’s creation and take example from St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology, who saw God in all creation. The COVID-19 crisis has reminded all of us of our deep interconnectedness—that we share one common humanity and live together on a common home.
PETITION
Good and gracious God, You created the world to serve Your people and to lead all to You. Help us to restore our relationship with You, so that we may restore it with all Your creation…(adapted from a prayer by St. Francis)
ACTION
We are now urgently called to restore our common home. As we bring this Season of Creation to a close, let it be a springboard into contemplation and action.
This is an urgent call: Pope Francis is inviting the universal church to join the Laudato Si’ journey. Over the next seven years, parishes around the globe are invited to sign up to achieve seven Laudato Si’ goals and become a Laudato Si’ Parish. www.laudatosiactionplatform.org
PRAYER
Let us pray today that we might re-awaken within us a sense of awe and wonder and strive to restore our common home.
May we love one another with the charity of Christ.
May the love that we hold in our hearts shine forth through our actions.
May our love and example increase our love for You and charity for one another and all of creation.
Amen.
Adapted from prayer of st. clare