DAY 2

Creation as God’s work

For the Love of Creation

For the Love of Creation invites Canadian faith communities and faith-based organizations to come together under a unified banner to mobilize education, reflection, action and advocacy for climate justice.

Scripture Readings

Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 148:1, 3, 9-14
Romans 8:19-23

Patristic Reading

From the Greek tradition

God cannot be seen by human eyes, but is seen and perceived through his providence and works. Just as one who sees a fully equipped ship entering port assumes that it has a pilot to guide it, so we must perceive that God is the pilot of the entire universe, even though he is not visible to the eyes of the flesh because he is incomprehensible.

– Theophilus of Antioch [2nd century], Ad Autolycus, I:5

Canadian Readings

So much is conspiring to awaken us to a new relationship with earth…a new relationship with each other. May this love lead us to be persistent and practical and offer prophetic hope in our world.[4] 

  • Sister Margo Ritchie, Congregational Leader, Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada

The Creation is our neighbour, just like every human person is our neighbour.[5]

  • Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada 

For reflection:

  1. We believe that God is present in all of creation although his presence is sometimes difficult to perceive.
  2. Creation is a gift of God subjected to suffering, often inflicted by human beings. How can we better recognize our responsibility for its care and preservation?
  3. If possible, spend some time in nature and contemplate how it connects us with the Creator.
  4. Question for the Canadian context: What ‘voices’ are addressing the critical issues around global warming and the many environmental concerns facing us in 2025 and how does the Church partner with these voices?

Prayer

R:      Blessed are you, O Lord!

We praise you and give you thanks, God of steadfast love for the great
signs of your favour
and your mercy for the whole creation. R/

You have made all things.

You declared them to be good, for your Spirit dwells in them all and
they belong to you, O Lord, who love the living. R/

We confess, O Lord, your glory in the immense starry spaces of the universe
and in the smallest seed of life. We give thanks for the works of your hands and the creation of all people. R/

Blessed are you for the air that gives us life. Blessed are you for the earth that nourishes us.

Blessed are you for the water that quenches our thirst. Blessed are you for the fire that warms us. R/

Giving voice to the whole creation and gathering together every grief and joy, we glorify you and give you thanks. Lord God, you made all things,
and will soon transfigure them, clothing them with your glory. R/

Let us pray.
Lord God, Father of lights,
strengthen our hearts in expectation and hope
as we work for unity and together seek the harmony of all creation. Let us be burning lamps, until the day of the coming of your Son in glory, with all his saints in the everlasting kingdom.
Blessed are you, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. AMEN.

Alternative Patristic Readings

From the Syriac tradition

The first book given by God to rational beings is the nature of created things. Instruction by means of ink was added after the transgression.

  • Isaac of Nineveh [7th century], First Collection, 5