Each weekday, Father James Lyons (Wellington) will be helping us reflect on God’s Word while we are in lockdown. What is God saying to us as we globally unite to defeat Covid-19?
ONE WORLD, OUR WORLD
SETTING: with the Cross and candle, a globe or world map; perhaps a photo image of the universe highlighting earth.
Beginning prayer:
Creative God,
constantly forming and shaping,
your loving kindness surrounds our planet,
enfolding us with compassion
and filling creation with your life.
Reform us, reshape us, renew us.
Compassionate God,
constantly forming and shaping,
your tender-hearted mercy is poured upon us,
despite our ruthless exploitation and greed.
We repent of our apathy and inaction
as we see the pain of our planet.
Reform us, reshape us, renew us.
Merciful God,
constantly forming and shaping,
your forgiveness is offered to all who repent.
Inspire us to direct our energies
towards peace and harmonious living.
Reform us, reshape us, renew us.
Forgiving God,
constantly forming and shaping,
by your Spirit, give us respect and integrity
in the way we care for our earth, your creation,
help us to follow our Lord and Saviour in living justly.
Reform us, reshape us and renew us, so that the earth
and all creation may sing your praise and glory. Amen.
[Baptist Union of Great Britain]
As our lockdown continues, it is timely to reflect on what this imposed isolation is teaching: about myself, my relations with others – from whom, at this time, I am mostly separated – and about the planet Earth of which I am a part.
Myself, Others, Earth – all are intimately connected. May this time of isolation help everyone to appreciate the value and importance of this interconnection.
Laudato Si – on the care of our common home, was written by Pope Francis in 2015. It is available on-line, but here are some points from the document to assist your reflection during this day of prayer. Spend some time on each point, seeking possible, practical, personal responses:
- The world is not a problem to be solved, but a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise. [12]
- The speed with which human activity has developed contrasts with the naturally slow pace of biological evolution. [18]
- Sadly, there is widespread indifference to the suffering of those forced to leave their homes…(pointing) to a loss of a sense of responsibility for our fellow men and women upon which all civil society is founded. [25] – Note: we are experiencing the opposite – required to stay in our homes, becoming refugees “in reverse”. This sense of “dislocation” can help us appreciate the plight of those without homes.
- The noise and distraction of an information overload can stop people from learning how to: live wisely – think deeply – love generously …a harmful sense of isolation can result. [47]
- God has written a precious book – whose letters are the multitude of created things present in the universe. [85]
- A sense of deep communion with the rest of nature cannot be real if our hearts lack tenderness, compassion and concern for our fellow human beings. [91]
In the light of panic buying and hoarding as we headed into lockdown, it is also timely to consider how each of us might approach the time ahead, when the all-clear is sounded. How might you, I, we, replace –
Consumption with Sacrifice?
Greed with Generosity?
Wastefulness with a spirit of Sharing?
A PRAYER FOR OUR EARTH
All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognise that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
For justice, love and peace.
Pope Francis
Laudato Si, the Care of our Common Home, 2015
