CARE FOR CREATION

CARE FOR CREATION

A Scripture Service

Song: All sing:

Sing a new song, sing a new song, and wait upon the promise of the Lord.

Creation sings a new song to the Lord, the universal energies rejoice.

Through all the magnitudes of space and time, creatures proclaim the grandeur of Christ.

The mountains and the valleys and the plains, the cattle and the wild beasts and the birds,

the shadows and the clouds, the rain and snow, praise and reflect the bounty of Christ.

The ocean deeps, the currents and the tides, the water plants, the fishes and the whales,

the storm, the reef, the water spout, the calm, praise and reflect the wonder of Christ.

The fruit tress in their seasons and the vine, the eucalypt, the cedar, and the palm,

the lotus and the orchid and the rose, praise and reflect the beauty of Christ.

The human eye, the shaping hand, the mind, with number and with symbol and design,

in work and play, and artistry and prayer, praise and reflect the wisdom of Christ.

The love of man and woman clear as dawn, the will for truth and justice broad as day,

the wisdom of the heart profound as night, praise and reflect the glory of Christ.

James McAuley

Introduction:

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord Jesus Christ, the image of the unseen God

and the first‑born of all creation, be always with us.

All: Amen.

Penitential Prayer:

Leader: Aware of God’s love for his creatures

and of his calling us to care for creation,

let us ask pardon of the Lord Jesus, for our carelessness at times.

Lord Jesus, you care about all creatures.

Lord, have mercy. All: Lord, have mercy.

Christ, you came that all may have life.

Christ, have mercy. All: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you live in each of us.

Lord, have mercy. All: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: Have mercy on us, Lord,

and forgive us the harm that we have done to your creation.

Open our hearts to care for the earth and for one another,

and lead us to everlasting life. All: Amen.

Song: All sing:

"The Beatitudes" (Blessed are the poor in spirit)

Peter Kearney. Published by J. Albert & Sons Pty. Ltd., Sydney.

Prayer:

All: God, Creator and Sustainer of all that exists,

we praise you, the source of all that we have and are.

Teach us to acknowledge and to care for

the many good things your infinite love has given us.

Help us to love you with all our heart and all our strength.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading: The Wonders of Nature Si 43: 19-20,23-28, 30-31, 36-37

Reader: A reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus

(The Lord) sprinkles snow like birds alighting,

it comes down like locusts settling.

The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness

and the mind is amazed at its falling.

He swallows up the mountains and scorches the desert,

like a fire he consumes the vegetation.

But the mist heals everything in good time,

after the heat falls the reviving dew.

By his own resourcefulness he has tamed the abyss,

and planted it with islands.

Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers,

their accounts fill our ears with amazement:

for there too there are strange and wonderful works,

animals of every kind and huge sea creatures.

Thanks to him all ends well,

and all things hold together by means of his word.

Where shall we find sufficient power to glorify him,

since he is the Great One, above all his works,

the awe‑inspiring Lord, stupendously great,

and wonderful in his power?

Many mysteries remain even greater than these,

for we have seen only a few of his works,

the Lord himself having made all things,

and having given wisdom to the devout.

Jerusalem Bible

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm: Dan 3:75‑81

L. Mountains and hills! bless the Lord.