“HOPE and ACT”
The Season of Creation is a global ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home, starting each year on 1 September and finishing on 4 October, the feast of St. Francis. SEASON OF CREATION 2024 offers these for our reflection, prayer and action.
Theme: To Hope and Act with Creation
Symbol: The first fruits of Hope
Biblical text: Rom. 8: 19-25
Theological Introduction (excerpted, “Season of Creation 2024, Text and Symbol Presentation”)
- Rom. 8: 22 Creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth. How can Mother Earth look after us if we do not look after her? Creation is groaning because of our selfishness and the unsustainable actions that harm her. Along with Mother, Sister Earth, creatures of all kinds, including humans, cry out because of the consequences of the destructive actions causing climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and human suffering as well as Creation’s suffering. And yet, there is hope! To hope in the Biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet; but rather groaning, crying and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles, just as in childbirth we go through a period of intense pain but new life springs forth. Our actions are signs of hope that the Spirit is working within us.
- Rom. 8: 19 Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the children of God to be revealed. The children of God are those who stretch up their hands toward the Creator, humble creatures, to praise and respect God – and at the same time to love, respect, care and learn from God’s gift of Creation. Humankind is created to be part of Creation. More than a common home, Creation is also a cosmic family that calls us to act responsibly.
- Rom. 8: 23-25 Hope is not merely optimism, not waiting for magical miracles. Hope is trust that our action makes sense, even if the results are not immediately seen. Paul explains the close relationship of hope as growth process. “Endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” (Rom. 5:4) There is a saying attributed to St. Augustine: “Hope has two beautiful daughters, their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are; Courage to see they do not remain as they are.”
- The Symbol: the first fruits of Hope. Hope is an instrument allowing us to overcome the natural law of decay. Hope is given to us by God as protection and guard against futility. Only through Hope we may realize the gift of freedom in fullness. Freedom to act not only to achieve enjoyment and prosperity, but to reach the stage in which we are free and responsible. Freedom and responsibility enable us to make the world a better place. Only when we work with Creation can the first fruits emerge.
Personal Reflection
After praying over the points presented by the document, Season of Creation 2024, we might like to consider some of these question – to bring toward to Action.
(Cf. Integral Ecology Team)
- How do I feel God’s presence in Creation today?
- What concrete ways can I do to turn away from a throwaway culture?
- Where have I fallen short of caring for Creation and for my sisters and brothers?
- How can I “repair” my relationship with Creation and make choices consistent with my desire to truly care for all?
- Other “stirrings” of the heart
Learning from an old Wisdom
Ubuntu! This African Wisdom teaches us that the SELF is shaped by relationships with OTHERS. It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a cosmic collective family to care for Creation. I am because we are, the same goes with Creation. We are nature, nature is us. We are God’s hands for global and cosmic justice. Let us Hope and Act with Creation!
