Care for Creation
February 18, 2024
Through the Desert, God Leads us to Freedom
The theme of Pope Francis’ Lenten Message is “Through the desert, God leads us to freedom”
(www.vatican.va, or search Pope’s Message for Lent 2024). Referencing the Exodus story, the Pope says “the exodus from slavery to freedom is no abstract journey. If our celebration of Lent is to be concrete, the first step is to desire to open our eyes to reality.”1 Just as God listened, heard, understood the cry of the people enslaved in Egypt, do we hear the cry of the oppressed today, “does it trouble us? does it move us?”1 Pope Francis recommends that we keep our eyes and hearts and hands open during Lent. We are called to be hopeful, to confront reality, to recognize what we have done to one another and the world and to proceed in faith and hope during the Lenten season of conversion.
What can I free myself from? From food waste? From single use plastic? What will I turn around in my life? Will I open my eyes to the way I use or abuse our common home? Will I take action to support legislation to care for the common good? Will I find ways to reduce my own demand for fossil fuel?
As Jesus retreated from the throngs in the Gospel stories, Lent gives me a time to pause in prayer. “The contemplative dimension of life will release new energies”1 to help us look for new “ways we acquire goods, care for creation and strive to include those who go unseen.”1
Let us listen to Pope Francis and make sure our Lenten practices of prayer, abstinence and almsgiving include open-eyed practical actions. Examples of practical actions include: praying intentionally for refugees, whether they flee war, persecution or poverty; abstaining from meat with the purpose of reducing the greenhouse gas byproducts of the industry; supporting charities that provide infrastructure for those who lack access to clean water. These are some of my favorites, what are you passionate about, what is right for you and your family?.
LOOK FOR THE LENTEN CREATION CARE CALENDARS IN THE NARTHEX for many good ideas.
1 MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2024
Through the Desert God Leads us to Freedom
February 2, 2024
This is the work by graffiti artist MAUPAL who will produce a piece for the Vatican each week during Lent.
February 18, 2024
Through the Desert, God Leads us to Freedom
The theme of Pope Francis’ Lenten Message is “Through the desert, God leads us to freedom”
(www.vatican.va, or search Pope’s Message for Lent 2024). Referencing the Exodus story, the Pope says “the exodus from slavery to freedom is no abstract journey. If our celebration of Lent is to be concrete, the first step is to desire to open our eyes to reality.”1 Just as God listened, heard, understood the cry of the people enslaved in Egypt, do we hear the cry of the oppressed today, “does it trouble us? does it move us?”1 Pope Francis recommends that we keep our eyes and hearts and hands open during Lent. We are called to be hopeful, to confront reality, to recognize what we have done to one another and the world and to proceed in faith and hope during the Lenten season of conversion.
What can I free myself from? From food waste? From single use plastic? What will I turn around in my life? Will I open my eyes to the way I use or abuse our common home? Will I take action to support legislation to care for the common good? Will I find ways to reduce my own demand for fossil fuel?
As Jesus retreated from the throngs in the Gospel stories, Lent gives me a time to pause in prayer. “The contemplative dimension of life will release new energies”1 to help us look for new “ways we acquire goods, care for creation and strive to include those who go unseen.”1
Let us listen to Pope Francis and make sure our Lenten practices of prayer, abstinence and almsgiving include open-eyed practical actions. Examples of practical actions include: praying intentionally for refugees, whether they flee war, persecution or poverty; abstaining from meat with the purpose of reducing the greenhouse gas byproducts of the industry; supporting charities that provide infrastructure for those who lack access to clean water. These are some of my favorites, what are you passionate about, what is right for you and your family?.
LOOK FOR THE LENTEN CREATION CARE CALENDARS IN THE NARTHEX for many good ideas.
1 MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2024
Through the Desert God Leads us to Freedom
February 2, 2024
This is the work by graffiti artist MAUPAL who will produce a piece for the Vatican each week during Lent.
