Covenant with Creation

In these days, as we emerge gradually from the challenges of  extreme weather conditions we are drawn to look at the world and those around us with different eyes and with an increased awareness that this is ‘our common home’.   Often when we hear the word ‘home’ we  may only think of a physical building and its rooms. But what if we really began to think of Earth as our home – what would we need to do to make this experience a reality for everyone?

A Prayer for Our Earth

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.
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 recognise 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.

 ~ (LS. No. 246)

(Extract from Encyclical Letter   ‘Laudato Sí’  by Pope Francis,  given in Rome at Saint Peter’s on 24th May, the Solemnity of Pentecost, 2015 on  ‘Care of Our Common Home’.