In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2022, Pope Francis said that the sweet song of creation is today “accompanied by a cry of anguish…” and it is “our sister, mother earth, who cries out.”

For this Sunday, October 2, Associate Judy Hardy of the Eco-Justice Committee speaks of sadness, and of hope. 

The readings of this last of the Sundays of the Season of Creation are somber and full of warning.  They challenge us to look at, recognize and own our part in Earth’s anguish: in the waters and creatures, in the sufferings of our sisters and brothers.  But we are not without hope—we call on faith in our forgiving and restoring God who can empower us as servants who listen well to the voice of creation all around us.

A reading from Lamentations 1:1-6

• How bitterly so many weep at the destruction they see, at the powerlessness they feel in the face of the planet’s increasingly evident stress. We weep in solidarity with those who mourn we act in hope to bring comfort and renewal.

Responsorial Psalm 137

1. By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept.

• Will we let our hearts be broken open so that we recognize our oneness with all that suffer?

A reading from the Second Letter to Timothy (2 Timothy: 1-1:14)

• Paul reminds us all that arguments over doctrine and terminology do not really solve our need for conversion. Words that we can trust are the reminder of our solidarity with the Christ who entered into Creation and gave all for its ultimate salvation.

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (Luke 17: 5-10)

• What if we really considered ourselves servants whose whole desire is to carry out the loving desires of the Creator: for an Earth flourishing with peace, wholeness, and abundance for all.  Will we see this dream as our duty to fulfill?
• Paul reminds us all that arguments over doctrine and terminology do not really solve our need for conversion. Words that we can trust are the reminder of our solidarity with the Christ who entered into Creation and gave all for its ultimate salvation.

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (Luke 17: 5-10)

• What if we really considered ourselves servants whose whole desire is to carry out the loving desires of the Creator: for an Earth flourishing with peace, wholeness, and abundance for all.  Will we see this dream as our duty to fulfill?

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