Pray with Pope Leo during Creationtide and read his message for the Care of Creation on Seeds of Peace and Hope.
Seeds of Peace and Hope
The Vatican says that “this year’s theme reflects the urgency of working to create the conditions for peace, a lasting peace built together that inspires hope. The metaphor of the seed indicates the need for long-term commitment, the fruit of concrete actions and a profound ecological conversion.”
The biblical text chosen is taken from Isaiah which directly links justice, peace, and harmony with creation:
For the palace is forsaken,
the populous city deserted;
the hill and the watchtower
will become dens forever,
a joy of wild donkeys,
a pasture of flocks;
until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
Isaiah 32:14-18
Pope Leo’s message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/creation/documents/20250630-messaggio-giornata-curacreato.html
Creation Care Prayer for the Earth
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness 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 recognize 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.
Taken from ‘Laudato Si’, 2015.
David McLoughlin reflects on the Biblical narrative of Noah in both the Old and New Testaments.
Dr Richard Goode navigates the story of Noah and its clarion call today from his own canal boat in the West Midlands.
