August 2015
Reflections of God's Goodness
Our God is the source of all life. He created us and the whole universe. His imprint can be seen and perceived!
The heavens are telling the glory of God, and all creation is shouting for joy!
In his most recent encyclical,”Laudato Si” (Praise be You), Pope Francis is reminding us to open our eyes and hearts to all of God’s creation. The Pope’s beloved patron saint, Francis of Assisi, is known for his connection to all of God’s creation. He called the Sun, brother, and the Moon, sister, reminding us that we are all interconnected. How we act on creation and each other has lasting impact.
In his call to all of us, Pope Francis says,
human life is grounded in three fundamental and closely intertwined relationships: with God, with our neighbor, and with the earth itself.
Look around you. In this throwaway culture, more and more people have lost respect for this interconnectedness. It sometimes seems as though nothing is sacred. Trash litters our highways and green spaces, businesses contaminate our ground and water, the elderly are neglected or abused and unwanted babies are aborted. In the name of convenience or profit, more and more products and people become disposable.
We are the stewards of creation – a gift from God to love and care for. We are not the owners, but the ‘caretakers.’ As we continue to confront images of violence and destruction, we all want to do something. Pope Francis invites us to do just that in his encyclical, Care for Our Common Home(Laudato Si).
We may not be able to confront big business, or take on unjust systems, but each of us, whether we live in a suburb or in a shelter, can do something to take care of our home, the one we share with the world. We can offer honor and respect to each person we meet or choose to leave a green space free of litter, just to name a few.
Pope Francis invites us to live in a simpler way, to plan for our lives. We can remember that food and water are scarce in some parts of the world. In solidarity, we can intentionally guard against food waste by buying less and using leftovers. We can consider recycling in ways that are possible for us.
This month, think of one step you can take toward caring for our common home and caring for each other. Be intentional about learning what the Pope and others have to say about the issues confronting our world. Together, our efforts can make a difference – in our home, our neighborhood and in our world.
May all of our actions and choices reflect God’s love for us, for others and for all of creation.
Blessings and Peace,
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn
Director of Development
Come dance in the forest come play in the fields
and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord.
