Inspiration for this Season of Creation
As we experience this 2019 Season of Creation, we take time to reflect on the world we inhabit and our God-given responsibility to steward it. For your contemplation and inspiration, Blessed Tomorrow has gathered together a collection of brief, creation-centric statements from a variety of faith traditions. Grab a cup of coffee and get inspired.
Rabbi David Mevorach Seidenberg
“May it be Your will, YHVH our God and God of our ancestors that the majesty and power of the blessings which we bless today, will become lights in the wellspring of blessings of the Tree of Life, and that the bow will appear a crown of beauty to the Sun’s orb, and may the whole return now to its original strength, joyful and beautified with its colors, so that we and our descendants may merit to live many days on Earth, like the days of the Skies over the Land.” (Blessing the Sun)
Rev. John Wesley
“Have you noticed that the vast majority of faith-based camp and retreat centers are located within or adjacent to natural surroundings? Even where civilization has encroached, center staff and volunteers plant gardens to assure that nature remains. This is no accident… the Church intentionally wants people to enter the creation because of the growing recognition that the natural world actually speaks of the Creator. Multitudes sense God’s presence afresh, while in the midst of nature.” (1731 Journal Entry)
Islamic Relief U.S.A.
“The stars, the sun and moon, and this earth in all the diversity, richness and vitality of its communities of living beings, reflect and manifest the boundless glory and mercy of their Creator. All by nature serve and glorify their Maker, all bow to their Lord’s will. We humans are created to serve the Lord of all beings, to work the greatest good we can for all the species, individuals, and generations of God’s creatures. We affirm Allah is the Lord and sustainer (rabb) of all beings. Nothing that He creates is without value.” (Climate Change Policy)
St. Francis of Assisi
“A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” (Reprinted by Archdiocese of Baltimore)
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
“I believe God loves things by becoming them. God loves things by uniting with them, not by excluding them. Through the act of creation, God manifested the eternally out-flowing Divine Presence into the physical and material world. Ordinary matter is the hiding place for Spirit and thus the very Body of God.” (Coherence and Belonging)
Vine Deloria, Jr., Standing Rock Sioux
“Great Spirit, whose dry lands thirst, help us to find the way to refresh your lands.
Great Spirit, whose waters are choked with debris and pollution, help us to find the way to cleanse your waters.
Great Spirit, whose beautiful earth grows ugly with misuse, help us to find the way to restore beauty to your handiwork.
Great Spirit, whose creatures are being destroyed, help us to find a way to replenish them.
Great Spirit, whose gifts to us are being lost in selfishness and corruption, help us to find the way to restore our humanity.” (As published in Red Earth, White Lies)
African Methodist Episcopal Commission on Social Action
“Whereas Jesus commands us to “…love one another” (John 13:34) and God has given us responsibility to care for His good creation (Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15). We can move away from the dirty fuels that make us sick and shift toward safe, clean energy like wind and solar that help make every breath our neighbors and families take a healthy one, create new jobs that can’t be outsourced, help protect the least among us and preserve what God bestowed.” (Climate Change Resolution)
Baha’u’llah
“Take from this world only to the measure of your needs, and forego that which exceedeth them. Observe equity in all your judgments, and transgress not the bounds of justice, nor be of them that stray from its path.” (The Summons of the Lord of Hosts)
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
“All of God’s creation is a part of the very family of God– the entire created world and universe. We see the beauty and the majesty that God has created. We have been charged with being caretakers of God’s Creation, and in so doing, to be co-workers with God in the saving work of restoration and reconciliation. If you don’t believe me, read Genesis 1.” (The Jesus Movement: Good News for All Creation)
We hope you found this blog helpful, inspiring, and thought-provoking. For help turning your inspiration into action, see the Blessed Tomorrow Moving Forward Guide. We wish you a wonderful Season of Creation.