Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.—Psalm 96:11-12
As this pandemic drags on and the novelty wears off, it is easy to get stuck on the difficulties, inconveniences and struggles that have come with the onset of COVID-19; but God has been with us and working through us in all of this. One blessing to arise has been the much-needed break we have given to our Mother Earth, our home gifted to us by our Creator. Her wish has been for us to slow down to smell the salty ocean air, to feel the wind blowing through the trees, to listen to the birds talking to one another, to taste the sweetness of fruit and to see the wondrous creations all around us.
The irony is that we have been aware for at least fifty years that we have needed to slow down and care for our Earth, yet we haven’t done it. Now through this forced time of stillness we can see first-hand the impact of our behaviors and actions. On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, her birthday wish has finally been heard; but it has taken a pandemic for us to notice. With the stay at home orders in place, our skies are a brilliant clear blue again. Our waters are running clean. We are taking advantage of local farms. Our national parks are gaining balance again in the ecosystems that are unique to each one. Our Creator and Mother Earth are smiling.
When the time comes and our stay at home orders are lessened, I wonder if we will go back to the way we have always done it or if we will make the pivot that our Earth greatly needs. I wonder if we will choose to buy from our local farmers. I wonder if we will continue to choose to drive less and take more walks. Most of all I wonder if we will become the stewards of God’s creation that we have been called to be.
As we have seen first-hand, the whole world working together really can make a radical difference and is the best gift we can give our Earth and the best way that we can honor our Creator God.
Creator God, we thank you for all of creation. We ask your forgiveness where we have failed to be just stewards and ask for your help in keeping sight of the lessons we’ve learned during this pandemic. We ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth even as we seek balance while moving back into new patterns of normal. May we learn to live in harmony, safety and just sharing of resources among all so that we achieve the kingdom of God.
Peace be to this community. Peace be to this land. Peace be to all people. Amen.
Prayer adapted from the Catholic Health Association
Blessings,
Marty