PETITION LINK
- Creed
- A Creation Care Creed
We believe and trust in God, all-powerful Creator and Sustainer
Who fashions the heavens and the earth and all that is in them
Who gazes on his handiwork in love, pronouncing it ‘very good’
Who crafts men and women, calling us to partnership with him in caring for His world
who provides in generous abundance all that is needed for the whole of Creation to thrive
Who grieves at the way we neglect and spoil his masterpiece, and calls us to Account
We believe and trust in Jesus Christ
who was born like us, choosing to share our humanity with its joy and its pain
Who lived an earthly life, affirming and celebrating the goodness of the physical world
who modelled for us a pattern for living with integrity even though it cost him everything
who died and came back to life to show us that in sacrifice lie the seeds of
freedom and hope
who returned home to his father – his earthly work complete
We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit
who danced at the dawn of time to bring light and life
who breathes life and purpose into all living things
who opens our eyes to injustice and points us truthwards
who calls us to join in the work of sustaining and renewing the earth
We commit ourselves to live day by day in the light of these beliefs, cherishing
The earth and labouring for its healing and renewing,
Amen.
LAUDATO SI SUNDAY 2017 - REFLECTION.
THE TITLE OF THE “LAUDATO SI” ENCYCLICAL INCLUDES THE WORDS “ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME.”
THREE WORDS IN EVERYDAY USAGE. CARE. COMMON. HOME
WORDS CHOSEN BY POPE FRANCIS.
AND WORDS OF IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE FOR OUR ECOLOGY GROUP.
SO LET’S REFLECT A LITTLE ON THESE EVERYDAY WORDS IN THE LAUDATO SI CONTEXT………..
- THE HEALTH OF THE EARTH, THE ENVIRONMENT AND
- THE FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES FOR ALL.
CARE
YOU ARE ALL EXPERTS IN CARING. PARENTS OF CHILDREN; CHILDREN OF AGING PARENTS; KIDS WITH PETS; TEACHERS WITH PUPILS; DOCTORS AND NURSES WITH PATIENTS; SHEPHERDS WITH THEIR SHEEP………SO MANY EXAMPLES.
BUT CARING IS MORE THAN THE ACT OF MAKING A MEAL, CHANGING A NAPPY OR PUTTING A BANDAID ON A GRAZED KNEE. THAT IS THE WORK OF THE HANDS………..CARING IS A MOTIVATION OF THE HEART. IT IS OFTEN HARD WORK AND IT IS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
AND THAT IS THE SAME CARE WE ARE CALLED TO HAVE FOR ALL OF GODS CREATION.
WE ARE CREATED FOR THAT ROLE. AND THAT IS WHY POPE FRANCIS CALLS US TO ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION; A CONVERSION OF THE WAY OUR HEARTS SEE AND FEEL ABOUT AND ACT FOR CREATION IN ITS GREAT DIVERSITY; IT’S MANY MANIFESTATION.
COMMON
IN ONE SENSE COULD NOT BE MORE INCORRECT. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ORDINARY ABOUT THIS HOME. THERE IS NO OTHER. ITS BUILDING HAS TAKEN MORE THAN 14 BILLION YEARS AND ITS RENOVATIONS NEVER CEASE.
IN LAUDATO SI, THE PRINCIPAL MEANING IS THE NOTION OF WHAT WE SHARE; OUR SAMENESS……..LIKE THE SONG. “WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER”.
AND BEYOND THAT, IT’S THE REALISATION AND APPRECIATION OF INTERCONNECTEDNESS. HOW OUR FAILURES TO RESPECT CREATION CAUSE OTHERS TO LIVE IN POVERTY.WE DEPEND FOR SURVIVAL ON THE REST OF CREATION …….. AND VICE VERSA. THE REST CAN CARE FOR US ONLY IF WE CARE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE.
AND EVERYTHING HAS THAT RIGHT BECAUSE ITS CREATOR IS OUR CREATOR.
WE KNOW THAT GODS GIFTS WERE CREATED FOR OUR NEEDS, NOT OUR UNCONTROLLED WANTS.AND IT IS THE CREATORS INTENTION THAT THESE GIFTS BE SHARED WITH FAIRNESS AND EQUITY, NOW BETWEEN ALL LIVING PEOPLES............AND IN GOOD SHAPE FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME.
HOME
IS OUR EARTH AND THAT OF ALL CREATION. IT IS NOT JUST OUR PERSONAL BRICKS AND MORTAR. IT IS HABITAT. AND WHAT CONSTITUTES THAT HABITAT IN TURN ENJOYS THE SAME HOME.
IT WAS FOR ME A BIT OF A WOW MOMENT WHEN I REALISED THAT THE EARTH AND ALL THAT IT CONSTITUTES IT, IS ITS OWN HOME.
IT’S WHERE EVERYTHING, EVERY PART OF CREATION FINDS REFUGE AND CARE AND LOVE AND RESPECT
AND RENEWAL AND REVITALISATION AND RELEVANCE.
IT’S WHERE WE ALL UNDERGO THE CHANGE THAT IS IMPLICIT IN THE MEANING AND DIRECTION OF CREATION.
NO CHANGE..........NO LIFE.
LAUDATI SI .......PRAISED BE!!!!
MICHAEL GILL
