Saturday, April 16, 2016

Earth Day Prayer

Materials needed: Encyclical of Laudato Si, a small plant or planter with dirt, bible, and candles.  Choose your own background music if you like. 

Guide: Pope Francis tells us in number 11 of his Encyclical Laudato Si: “If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously.”

During this prayer time, let us ask the Creator of Life for the grace to discover the value of each part of creation, to contemplate it all in wonder, and recognize that we are profoundly connected to all of creation. 

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:12
“The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”

Take a few minutes for silent reflection and then share
1.    Do you remember a time when you perceived nature as divine revelation?  What was that experience like? What did it teach you? How did it challenge you?
2.    How can we nurture our sense of awe, wonder, and reverence in our interactions with the world, in ourselves, and with others? 
3.    How can recapturing the sacred nature of all living beings transform our society?

Closing prayer
Creator God, open our eyes to truly see the wonder of your creation.  Awaken in us a new consciousness of the role that we have in your vast creation.  Transform our hearts so that we can recover our sense of awe and wonder.  Guide us with your wisdom so that we may recognize our responsibility and commit ourselves to caring for our mother earth, our common home.

Amen

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