Collect for the Feast of St. Francis Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may, for love of you, delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Just as we each work to care for others, we can show our care for creation as we limit single use plastics, reduce water consumption, recycle diligently, plant trees, and walk gracefully on the land on which we live. The land which does not let us down. When we pay attention, the Earth will teach us to understand harmony and balance, give and take. When we pay attention, we will be inspired again by the audacious hope of all green things. When we pay attention, we will understand God’s steadiness, constancy in change and the mysteries of becoming. When we pay attention, we will marvel at God’s unseen order – the interconnection of all living things. When we pay attention, we will know others to be our brothers and sisters, children of one common home. Let us pay attention to the earth and pray. God of all Creation, through your goodness you have given us the Earth as our home. We are grateful for all the wonders of the world which so clearly proclaim your glory. Teach us how to pay attention that we might learn from the natural world. Teach us how to care for each other as we care for creation. We ask these things through the intercession of Francis of Assisi and in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 