The Art of Creation: The Earth Cries Out

The recent death of Pope Francis brings sadness and concern to many both inside and outside the Catholic faith. Among other things, his strong advocacy on behalf of the planet and all of its creatures will be missed. Other popes such as Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI (who was called the "green pope") also viewed the ecological crisis as a moral issue, pointing out the important connection between the care of creation and Christian faith. Pope Francis, however, modeled greater grassroots involvement and made "integral ecology" (which views the health of the earth and the health of people as one and the same thing) a priority of his papistry's message.

He traced the start of his "ecological conversion" back to what he learned from Brazilian bishops as they voiced concern about the state of the Amazon Rainforest. As he said in a 2018 conversation, he didn't initially understand their single-minded passion. Reflecting on a 2007 synod concerning the Amazon, he said, "I remember very well feeling annoyed by their attitude and commenting, 'These Brazilians are driving us crazy with their speeches!' At that time, I did not understand why our assembly of bishops had to devote itself to the theme of the Amazon; for me the health of the world's 'green lung' was not a concern, or at least I did not understand what it had to do with my role as bishop," but "much time has passed and my perception of the environmental problem has completely changed... we need to change our paradigms very quickly if we want to have a future," he said.

Today, I share a prayer from Laudato Si (Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical concerning Care for Our Common Home) and a short video from 2024. The prayer is the lesser known of two prayers written for the occasion and is intended for those of the Christian faith.

Let the images of this prayer touch your imagination. What image comes to mind when you picture yourself praising God with all of God's other creatures? Can you envision what it means that Jesus is alive in every creature? How strong of a bond do you feel to the rest of creation?

A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation - Laudato Si’
Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!

Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!

Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father’s love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!

Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you
in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.

Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.

O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.

As you watch the short video below, allow the cry of the earth to reach your eyes, your ears, and your heart. Let the desperation being addressed seep into you. Listen and perhaps open yourself up to a deeper ecological conversion than you have already experienced and consider choices and changes you might make and advocate for.

Feel free to leave a comment below (you can sign in through your email) or contact me directly at louise.conner@circlewood.online.

Louise