If you enjoy music in prayer, consider beginning with All the Ends of the Earth, by Bob Dufford, S.J.
Questions for reflection
-Have you noticed opportunities to act as a steward in the past weeks? Or, noticed others who do?
-Which readings covered last session (or since) most captivated your imagination as a person of faith, with a responsibility to care for creation?
-If you have experienced prayer out-of-doors, what inspired it? How did you respond?
-Have you read Laudato Si? If not, it is a beautiful and invitatory place to begin to engage with papal encyclicals.
Opening Prayer
Loving God, Your affection for creation is evident. You name it all good; you name us all, good! Enkindle in our hearts the same reverence for the created world with which you created, and sustain the universe. We ask this through Jesus, the Christ. Amen.
//
Creation through the lens of Scripture
As we continue to delve into this theme of Catholic Social Teaching, I want to point out several Scriptural references to help lay the framework for the understanding that stewardship is a hallmark of our identity not just as Catholics (as Catholic Social Teaching could imply), but as children of God. Both the Old and New Testament reflect this relationship of goodness, awe, and responsibility:
God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. -Genesis 1:31
For from the greatness and the beauty of created things, their original author, by analogy, is seen. – Wisdom 13: 3
For six years you may sow your land and gather in its produce. But the seventh year you shall let the land lie untilled and fallow, that the poor of your people may eat of it and their leftovers the wild animals may eat. So also shall you do in regard to your vineyard and your olive grove. -Exodus 23:10-11
“I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” -Luke 19:40
Saints, mystics, evangelists, religious, and lay people alike have been inspired throughout human history with a deep reverence for the goodness of creation, and our responsibility to maintain it for the good of others–those with whom we share the planet now, and those generations that are to follow decades and centuries from now.
“The sun’s light that plays on the cedar trees, plays on each tiny flower as if it were the only one in existence; and in the same way our Lord takes a special interest in each soul.” -Therese of Lisieux
“Standing awestruck before a mountain, he or she cannot separate this experience from God, and perceives that the interior awe being lived has to be entrusted to the Lord: ‘Mountains have heights and they are plentiful, vast, beautiful, graceful, bright and fragrant. These mountains are what my Beloved is to me. Lonely valleys are quiet, pleasant, cool, shady and flowing with fresh water; in the variety of their groves and in the sweet song of the birds, they afford abundant recreation and delight to the senses, and in their solitude and silence, they refresh us and give rest. These valleys are what my Beloved is to me.’” -St. John of the Cross
//
Grateful recipients, or faithful stewards?
There is, of course, another school of thought which sees the world equally as a gift given; and yet one for which we bear no responsibility. How rarely that is the case in the Christian walk! In fact, I cannot think of an example for which we are not called upon to act with the well-being of another in mind. This is not always convenient, but it does seem to consistently ring true.
What’s lacking?
The question remains, what is the lynchpin that moves us from our role as grateful recipients toward an integrated practice of faithful stewardship? Pope Francis, along with contemporary culture is certainly offering ample opportunities to reflect on this responsibility, while empowering all of humanity to be intentional in their efforts to be good stewards. In other words, to ‘begin with the end in mind,’ Stephen Covey’s eternal recipe for any highly successful endeavor (if not an apocalyptic one).
The notion of the common good also extends to future generations. The global economic crises have made painfully obvious the detrimental effects of disregarding our common destiny, which cannot exclude those who come after us. We can no longer speak of sustainable development apart from intergenerational solidarity. Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things differently; we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others. Since the world has been given to us, we can no longer view reality in a purely utilitarian way, in which efficiency and productivity are entirely geared to our individual benefit. Intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice, since the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us. (Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home [Laudato Si’], no. 159)
True stewardship requires changes in human actions—both in moral behavior and technical advancement… A renewed sense of sacrifice and restraint could make an essential contribution to addressing global climate change.
Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), 2001 #18
The dominion granted to man by the Creator is not an absolute power, nor can one speak of a freedom to “use and misuse,” or to dispose of things as one pleases. The limitation imposed from the beginning by the Creator himself and expressed symbolically by the prohibition not to “eat of the fruit of the tree” (cf. Gen 2:16-17) shows clearly enough that, when it comes to the natural world, we are subject not only to biological laws but also to moral ones, which cannot be violated with impunity. A true concept of development cannot ignore the use of the elements of nature, the renewability of resources and the consequences of haphazard industrialization – three considerations which alert our consciences to the moral dimension of development.(St. John Paul II, On Social Concerns [Sollicitudo rei Socialis], no. 34)
Questions for Reflection
-Is there an aspect of your life where you are feeling compelled to adopt a simpler or more intentional approach to stewarding what is yours to care for? If so, what might that look like?
-Have you observed a particular group who has adopted this principle of caring for creation? Who are they? A political group? Student group? Religious group? To what do you attribute their motivation? What might you/I/the Church stand to gain from their witness?
-What environmental causes do you find particularly compelling/timely? Clean water/recycling/fair trade/organic/etc. Where could you realistically begin?
Closing Prayer
God of all, thank you for the ways You gently form our consciences by stirring the places we feel most deeply about the rights and wrongs of the world. Guide us toward responses of compassion and concern for those around us that our own choices might reflect what we so readily observe in You. For hearts that respond with awe and reverence for all that we have been entrusted, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
If you enjoy music in prayer, consider beginning with All the Ends of the Earth, by Bob Dufford, S.J.
Questions for reflection
-Have you noticed opportunities to act as a steward in the past weeks? Or, noticed others who do?
-Which readings covered last session (or since) most captivated your imagination as a person of faith, with a responsibility to care for creation?
-If you have experienced prayer out-of-doors, what inspired it? How did you respond?
-Have you read Laudato Si? If not, it is a beautiful and invitatory place to begin to engage with papal encyclicals.
Opening Prayer
Loving God, Your affection for creation is evident. You name it all good; you name us all, good! Enkindle in our hearts the same reverence for the created world with which you created, and sustain the universe. We ask this through Jesus, the Christ. Amen.
//
Creation through the lens of Scripture
As we continue to delve into this theme of Catholic Social Teaching, I want to point out several Scriptural references to help lay the framework for the understanding that stewardship is a hallmark of our identity not just as Catholics (as Catholic Social Teaching could imply), but as children of God. Both the Old and New Testament reflect this relationship of goodness, awe, and responsibility:
God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day. -Genesis 1:31
For from the greatness and the beauty of created things, their original author, by analogy, is seen. – Wisdom 13: 3
For six years you may sow your land and gather in its produce. But the seventh year you shall let the land lie untilled and fallow, that the poor of your people may eat of it and their leftovers the wild animals may eat. So also shall you do in regard to your vineyard and your olive grove. -Exodus 23:10-11
“I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” -Luke 19:40
Saints, mystics, evangelists, religious, and lay people alike have been inspired throughout human history with a deep reverence for the goodness of creation, and our responsibility to maintain it for the good of others–those with whom we share the planet now, and those generations that are to follow decades and centuries from now.
“The sun’s light that plays on the cedar trees, plays on each tiny flower as if it were the only one in existence; and in the same way our Lord takes a special interest in each soul.” -Therese of Lisieux
“Standing awestruck before a mountain, he or she cannot separate this experience from God, and perceives that the interior awe being lived has to be entrusted to the Lord: ‘Mountains have heights and they are plentiful, vast, beautiful, graceful, bright and fragrant. These mountains are what my Beloved is to me. Lonely valleys are quiet, pleasant, cool, shady and flowing with fresh water; in the variety of their groves and in the sweet song of the birds, they afford abundant recreation and delight to the senses, and in their solitude and silence, they refresh us and give rest. These valleys are what my Beloved is to me.’” -St. John of the Cross
//
Grateful recipients, or faithful stewards?
There is, of course, another school of thought which sees the world equally as a gift given; and yet one for which we bear no responsibility. How rarely that is the case in the Christian walk! In fact, I cannot think of an example for which we are not called upon to act with the well-being of another in mind. This is not always convenient, but it does seem to consistently ring true.
What’s lacking?
The question remains, what is the lynchpin that moves us from our role as grateful recipients toward an integrated practice of faithful stewardship? Pope Francis, along with contemporary culture is certainly offering ample opportunities to reflect on this responsibility, while empowering all of humanity to be intentional in their efforts to be good stewards. In other words, to ‘begin with the end in mind,’ Stephen Covey’s eternal recipe for any highly successful endeavor (if not an apocalyptic one).
The notion of the common good also extends to future generations. The global economic crises have made painfully obvious the detrimental effects of disregarding our common destiny, which cannot exclude those who come after us. We can no longer speak of sustainable development apart from intergenerational solidarity. Once we start to think about the kind of world we are leaving to future generations, we look at things differently; we realize that the world is a gift which we have freely received and must share with others. Since the world has been given to us, we can no longer view reality in a purely utilitarian way, in which efficiency and productivity are entirely geared to our individual benefit. Intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice, since the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us. (Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home [Laudato Si’], no. 159)
True stewardship requires changes in human actions—both in moral behavior and technical advancement… A renewed sense of sacrifice and restraint could make an essential contribution to addressing global climate change.
Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), 2001 #18
The dominion granted to man by the Creator is not an absolute power, nor can one speak of a freedom to “use and misuse,” or to dispose of things as one pleases. The limitation imposed from the beginning by the Creator himself and expressed symbolically by the prohibition not to “eat of the fruit of the tree” (cf. Gen 2:16-17) shows clearly enough that, when it comes to the natural world, we are subject not only to biological laws but also to moral ones, which cannot be violated with impunity. A true concept of development cannot ignore the use of the elements of nature, the renewability of resources and the consequences of haphazard industrialization – three considerations which alert our consciences to the moral dimension of development.(St. John Paul II, On Social Concerns [Sollicitudo rei Socialis], no. 34)
Questions for Reflection
-Is there an aspect of your life where you are feeling compelled to adopt a simpler or more intentional approach to stewarding what is yours to care for? If so, what might that look like?
-Have you observed a particular group who has adopted this principle of caring for creation? Who are they? A political group? Student group? Religious group? To what do you attribute their motivation? What might you/I/the Church stand to gain from their witness?
-What environmental causes do you find particularly compelling/timely? Clean water/recycling/fair trade/organic/etc. Where could you realistically begin?
Closing Prayer
God of all, thank you for the ways You gently form our consciences by stirring the places we feel most deeply about the rights and wrongs of the world. Guide us toward responses of compassion and concern for those around us that our own choices might reflect what we so readily observe in You. For hearts that respond with awe and reverence for all that we have been entrusted, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.