September 11th Sunday 2
The burning bush is the Symbol for the Season of Creation 2022.
Today, the prevalence of unnatural fires are a sign of the devastating effects that climate change has on the most vulnerable of our planet. Human greed, desertification and land misuse lead to the disintegration of ecosystems, the destruction of habitats, and the loss of livelihoods and species at an alarming rate. Creation cries out as forests crackle, animals flee, and people are forced to migrate due to the fires of injustice that we have caused.
Today, the prevalence of unnatural fires are a sign of the devastating effects that climate change has on the most vulnerable of our planet. Human greed, desertification and land misuse lead to the disintegration of ecosystems, the destruction of habitats, and the loss of livelihoods and species at an alarming rate. Creation cries out as forests crackle, animals flee, and people are forced to migrate due to the fires of injustice that we have caused.
On the contrary, the fire that called to Moses as he tended the flock on Mt. Horeb did not consume or destroy the bush. This was a flame of the Spirit that revealed God’s life sustaining presence. This holy fire affirmed that God heard the cries of all who suffered, and promised to be with us as we followed faithfully to deliverance from injustice. During the Season of Creation, this symbol calls us to listen to the voice of creation, and faithfully respond through worship, repentance and action.
Moses was told to remove his sandals, for he was standing on holy ground in God’s presence.
May this symbol move us to remove the “sandals” of our unsustainable lifestyles that disconnect us from creation and our Creator, contemplate our connection to the holy ground where we live, and listen for the voice of creation.
May this symbol move us to remove the “sandals” of our unsustainable lifestyles that disconnect us from creation and our Creator, contemplate our connection to the holy ground where we live, and listen for the voice of creation.
As you celebrate this Season of Creation, light candles or a new Easter fire,
adorn a bush in your place of worship or action, and be filled with hope to quench the fires of injustice with the light of God’s healing love that sustains our common home.
adorn a bush in your place of worship or action, and be filled with hope to quench the fires of injustice with the light of God’s healing love that sustains our common home.
Thanksgiving for the Earth
Remember the fruits of the earth, for sowing and for harvest.
Remember the dew of the air.
Remember the downcoming of the rains and the waters and the rivers.
Remember the plants and the blooms of every year.
Remember the safety of humans and of animals and of me, your sinful servant
For the rain, the wind of the sky, seed, plants, the fruit of the trees and also the vineyards, and for every tree in the entire world,
Remember the downcoming of the rains and the waters and the rivers.
Remember the plants and the blooms of every year.
Remember the safety of humans and of animals and of me, your sinful servant
For the rain, the wind of the sky, seed, plants, the fruit of the trees and also the vineyards, and for every tree in the entire world,
We are grateful
For the Holy Trinity who brings us to perfection in safety and peace, forgives us our sins, brings us up according to their measure that we may grow and prosper through your grace, who makes the face of the earth to rejoice, waters her furrows, lets her grain be abundantly multiplied and makes ready her seed-time and harvest,We give You thanks
(adapted from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Pre-Anaphora, and Anaphora of Basil
Sing and Pray with the Song, The Cry of the Poor
Suggestions for Acting on behalf of Creation this Week
- Participate in campaigns that call for ecological restoration
- Go on a Creation Walk or Pilgrimage
- Reflection with the Sunday Gospel from Luke 15: 1-10 or the Burning Bush story in Exodus 3: 1-12 What commitment are you willing to make as you ‘Listen to the Voice of Creation’?
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