Sunday 6th September "Creation Time"

'EPHPHATHA’ (Mark 7:31-37)

Between 1 September and 4 October (the feast of St Francis of Assisi) Christian churches celebrate the season of ‘Creation Time’. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the gift of our world and to look at our relationship with the planet. There is no better time for us as individuals and as parish communities to consider our responsibilities to act on climate change, especially in light of Pope Francis’ recent encyclical Laudato Si. 

In the Gospel today, as Jesus opens the ears of a deaf man, he says ‘Ephphatha – Be Opened’. May our ears be opened to the cries of the earth and to the poor who suffer the most because of climate injustice. What a wonderful and prophetic action it would be in celebration of ‘Creation Time’ if each parish community committed to beginning a JPiC (Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation) group? Or perhaps thinking ahead to the feast of St Francis, ask ourselves how can we as parish communities celebrate the gift of creation? Great things can happen when small groups of people come together and act locally. How will your parish celebrate ‘Creation Time’? (For more info: http://ecocongregationireland.com/)

‘I wish to address every person living on this planet… I urgently appeal for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all’.

Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 1, 14

Zeal for your house will consume me ~ Third Sunday of Lent (John 2:13-25)

You can understand why Jesus is angry with those selling goods in the market place. The goods sold in the Temple markets were used in sacrifices so that people could  meet the requirements to be ‘closer’ to God. This model needed challenging. They have turned what should be a place of sacredness into a place where what is important is monetary value and exclusion.  Jesus is ‘overcome’ with fierce love and passion because of the injustice he sees before him. 

What temples have we turned into market places today? Our world is driven by consumerism and profit at the expense of our environment and at the expense of the resources of the world’s poorest people. The Book of Creation is now speaking to us to stop making this house a market place. We don’t have to look too far to see how climate change is having adverse affects on our weather systems here in Ireland and in the poorest regions of the world.

Let us pray this Sunday that ‘zeal for Your house will consume’ us and that we will take the necessary steps to ensure a more sustainable world for all. World leaders are working towards a global treaty on climate change but they are not agreed on how to cut emissions to sufficient levels in order to reduce global temperatures. They need encouragement. 

“May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, hunger, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy. And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor”. (Franciscan Blessing)