This year the theme is to “Hope and act with Creation” and the symbol “The first fruits of hope”, is inspired by Romans 8:19-25. It begins 1 September, the Feast of Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The biblical image depicts the Earth as a mother giving birth (Rom 8:22). This may have been what St. Francis of Assisi had in mind when he referred to the Earth as our sister and our mother in his Canticle of the Creatures. However, many of us still do not relate to the Earth as a gift from our Creator, but as a resource to be used.
“Creation groans” (Rom 8:22) because of our selfishness and unsustainable actions that harm it. Together with our Sister, Mother Earth, creatures of all kinds, including humans, cry out because of our destructive actions that cause climate crises, biodiversity loss and human suffering.
However, Creation teaches us that hope is waiting, in the expectation of a better future (cf. Rom 8:20-21). To hope in the biblical context means to groan, to cry out and actively strive for a new life in the midst of difficulties. Only when we work together with Creation can the first fruits of hope spring forth. As in childbirth, we might go through a period of intense pain, but new life emerges.
Pope Francis’ message on June 27 highlights our responsibility to take care of our Common Home.
“The salvation of humanity in Christ is a sure hope also for creation, for, ‘the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
“The Holy Spirit calls us to conversion, and guides us to a change in lifestyle in order to resist the degradation of our environment.”
The Holy Father goes on to explain that hoping and acting with creation means joining forces and walking together with people of good will. In this context, the Pope says, “there is an urgent need to set ethical limits on the development of artificial intelligence, since its capacity for calculation and simulation could be used for domination over humanity and nature, instead of being harnessed for the service of peace and integral development,”
The Pope encourages the faithful to remember their identity as “children of the Father,” suggesting that we are empowered to effectuate concrete change whilst living holy lives.
In this way, the message concludes, “our lives can become a song of love for God, for humanity, with and for creation, and find their fullness in holiness.”
At the moment Sisters of the Infant Jesus are preparing for Provincial Chapters and a General Chapter next year. We are reflecting on our response to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor which was a very important commitment made at our last chapter in 2019. In the English/Irish Province it is very heartening to know that we are caring for our Common Home very seriously. Throughout the province Sisters are working with local environmental groups and on their own and are recycling, rewilding and are engaged in many eco-friendly initiatives. We are happy that so much is being done and are aware that there is much more to do in order to make a more significant impact.
Sr Margaret Walsh (August 2024)
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