By Terri MacKenzie, SHCJ
Earth Day, April 22, 2016, marks the 46th anniversary of the first Earth Day, arguably the beginning of the environmental movement in the United States. We celebrate Earth Day during the season of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the time of liturgical celebrations in several religions that mark new life and exodus from bondage to freedom.
Those interested in Earth Day are aware of the many threats to our interconnected Earth. It is an appropriate time to pause for reflection and prayer.
Pause for a few moments’ quiet reflection on the wonder, variety, individuality and “interbeing” of Earth’s existence in our solar system and universe.
Let us join in thanking the Source of Life for the gift of Earth. Take turns reading the following litany.
Response: Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– for revealing creative love from the first flaring forth, when Earth’s story begins, Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– for Earth’s continuing evolution from stardust through its 5 billion year story so far, Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– for Earth’s ability to create, to heal, to diversify, to adapt, to be intrinsically interconnected, Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– for the colorful and nurturing gifts that developed in our era: flowers and trees, fish and mammals, human beings who collaborated and bonded to further their species, Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– for the gifts of water, soil, air, climate, flora and fauna, and the bioregions that developed over millennia, Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– for the challenges that Earth has encountered during her long story, and for the creative ways she developed to heal them, Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– for the Spirit that inspired Senator Gaylord Nelson to establish Earth Day: one person’s commitment now motivates people to action in nearly 200 countries, Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– for Pope Francis, whose commitment to care for our common home inspires people and organizations throughout the world, Source of Love and Abiding Faithfulness, we give thanks.
– Add as you wish.
Let us deepen our commitment to care for Earth. Take turns reading the following litany.
Response: Help us give life to the world.
– Because stockpiles of nuclear weapons threaten all life whether or not they are ever used, help us give life to the world.
– Because climate change already causes massive damage to all life on Earth, help us give life to the world.
– Because multiple causes are resulting in a Sixth Major Extinction of life on Earth, help us give life to the world.
– Because mono-crops and farming with harmful chemicals result in inferior food and spoiled soil and water, help us give life to the world.
– Because pollution, especially from plastics, is trashing so much of our planet including our oceans, help us give life to the world.
– Because deforestation ruins soil, water, air, and the life lose when trees are destroyed, help us give life to the world.
– Because human greed exploits humans and other species and resources, help us give life to the world.
– Because so many suffer from problems caused by, or causing, environmental damage, help us give life to the world.
Pause for a few moments’ quiet reflection. Share if you wish: What can we do, alone and/or with others, to enhance Earth’s future?
Closing prayer: Loving Source of Life, we, being of Earth and blessed with the Spirit living and acting within us, join together this Earth Day to renew our awe and appreciation of our precious planet. May our awe and appreciation result in actions that witness to our concerns for Earth. We ask that your presence within us will empower us to co-create a thriving planet now and into the future.
Amen.
Socialize.
Some music suggestions:
Let All Things Now Living
What a Wonderful World
Touch the Earth with Gentleness (Kathy Sherman)
How Great Thou Art
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