+ Monday 4th – A hope beyond COVID-19

The Parish Blog post didn’t make the midday goal today due to a long day of other needs. But hopefully better late than never. It’s a simple post with the cover picture expressing a couple of the many phrases people in the world have used to express their hope for each other in recent times – ‘Be safe – and – Be well’ – I was in an online chat with some people who were asking each other ‘what’s one thing you hope beyond  COVID-19? One of the people said something like this: ‘I know that industry across the world is essential and that we can’t avoid some pollution – and I know that some of our transport pollution will have to come back – and while I am so happy to read about huge improvements in air quality in so many parts of the world during lockdowns, I also feel so sad for the huge losses and griefs. I just hope that beyond this COVID time, we can all be excited to realise how much we can impact a cleaner, flourishing planet for all.’ 

In light of that conversation, I thought I’d just choose a day in the Parish Blog to re-print what we provided in the parish last September 1st – which is the date Pope Francis has named for the each year as ‘World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation’

The following two prayers are from Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ on the care of our common home here on the earth.

1. The first is a general prayer that can be shared across faiths

2. The second is for believing Christian people, praising the Triune God (Trinity) and asking for the inspiration we need to truly make the care of God’s creation a central foundation of what it means to live with faith.

For the encyclical, just google Laudato Si – Hopefully the reflections in these prayers can offer us some helpful enrichment in our ongoing growth in living God’s mission.                       

1. A prayer for our earth – by Pope Francis 

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.  

(Pope Francis’ prayer continues below)

Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.        AMEN

See the second prayer below – It is a praise of God that asks for us to be inspired as God intends; to make the care of all creation truly central to what it means to live with faith. How can we show leadership in this concern that is shared by many of the world’s people of all faiths and backgrounds? Can we wisely & joyfully seize the opportunity for this commitment to be a core way to give witness to our faith in the God of all creation?

2. A Christian prayer in union with creation – by Pope Francis

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.  

(Pope Francis’ prayer continues below)

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

Letter from Pope Francis on the last World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 

ALSO you might want to look at the letter Pope Francis wrote for the last World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1st 2019 – here’s the link that looks long and complicated but just highlight and copy all that’s in blue  – then paste it into your search browser and it will open the Vatican document directly.  

http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2019/documents/papa-francesco_20190901_messaggio-giornata-cura-creato.html

See you in the next Parish Blog post and 

with friendship in God’s mission,

fr Paul