We are now in the final week of the Season of Creation, that time in the church calendar, where we focus on God’s creation and how we can work to care for it. During week 1, I asked you to consider your banking and investments and how your money is being used to work for or against creation. For week 2, I suggested using an online calculator to better understand your family’s carbon footprint. For week 3, I suggested considering going meatless and dairyless for a day each week of the season since eating is such a big part of our carbon footprints. And last week, I asked you to kick up your actions at the community and political levels. Incidentally, if you missed any of these columns, you can find them at here.
This week I would like you to stop and think about ALL of God’s creation. Assuming the air is not smoky where you live, step outside of your home or place of work and take a deep breath. Celebrate the life-giving qualities of the oxygen and other gasses in the air that benefit so many of God’s creatures. Turn your gaze to a tree, shrub, or plant of interest and consider for the moment the miracle of photosynthesis. Do you hear a bird or perhaps see a squirrel, dog, or cat? Close your eyes and think about the wonderful diversity of species. Think about under-appreciated species like slugs, snakes, stinging nettle, spiders, rats, dandelions, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They are all part of God’s kingdom and an integral part of his plan, even if we don’t fully appreciate why.
Recall the words of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose feast day we celebrate on October 4 to mark the end of the Season of Creation:
Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Come celebrate Saint Francis of Assisi’s love of the animals at the Annual Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, Oct 2 at Noon in the parish parking lot. Bring your pet for Father Crispin’s special blessing.
Working together, we can help take care of our common home.
Paul Litwin
Saint Francis of Assisi at St John the Evangelist 