Hope and Act with Creation

 

The Season of Creation began September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends tomorrow, October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology.

The theme for the 2024 Season of Creation is "To hope and act with Creation." This annual Christian celebration encourages Christians worldwide to pray and respond to the cry of Creation. The guiding symbol for this year's season is "The first fruits of hope," inspired by Romans 8:19-25.

The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are two sides of the same coin. The cry of one causes the cry of the other.

The times we live in demonstrate that we often view the Earth not as a gift from our Creator but as a resource to be exploited - almost always at the expense of the poor. However, Creation teaches us that hope is present in waiting, in the expectation of a better future. To hope, in the biblical context, doesn't mean remaining still and silent; it means actively groaning, crying out, and struggling for a new life even amidst difficulties. Creation and all human beings are called to worship the Creator and work toward a dynamic future from which the first fruits of hope can spring.

As the season comes to a close, let us reflect on our relationship with the Earth, seek reconciliation with the Earth and with one another, and resolve on meaningful new personal habits to care for our common home.

In Pursuit of Truth and Reconciliation

 

Any sincere search for truth and reconciliation with First Nations, Metis and Indigenous Peoples in Canada must include becoming acquainted with the Doctrine of Discovery. Most immigrants and Settler descendants in Canada have never even heard of it. Here is a short summary of the Doctrine of Discovery which you can download and read.

Doctrine of Discovery

Here is a presentation that I gave to an SSVP conference in March of this year (2024) after referencing Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."

Doctrine of Discovery Rescinded - Now what?

During the discussion afterwards it emerged that almost all of us had never before heard of the Doctrine of Discovery, and yet it is something that Indigenous People have been aware of for centuries. The United States Supreme Court in 2005, relying on a series of Indian law cases going back to 1823, specifically cited the Doctrine in its decision denying the right of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York to regain its territory. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in the 2005 decision: “Under the Doctrine of Discovery … free title to the land occupied by Indians when the colonists arrived became vested in the sovereign – first the discovering European nation and later the original States and the United States.” 

My purpose in sharing this was not to make us feel guilty, but to raise awareness with knowledge. We cannot tackle a problem unless we admit there is a problem and try to understand it. As Christians and Catholics our problem is, how can Colonial Settler descendants be justly reconciled with Indigenous First Nations in this present time? 

There is also a series of YouTube videos which I strongly recommend for further information. These have also been recommended by the SSVP ONRC Social Justice Committee and Indigenous Sharing Circle. Here are the links to YouTube.

Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen lands, Strong Hearts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQwkB1hn5E8&t=6s

TRC Part # 1 Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9tRe5aN0eE

TRC Part # 2 "We Are All Treaty People"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZu6DYZYIQ

TRC Part # 3 The Residential Schools
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlXuLs9s-ds&t=3s

TRC Part # 4 Apologies and The Churches
https://youtu.be/RWqdul1ZDfk?si=VlYkUPWHv28ro51o&t=6

TRC #5 Calls to Action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi9euHR0YdI&pp=ygULVFJDIFBhcnQgIzU%3D

Please share these links with others whom you think might be interested.

September 27 – Memorial for St. Vincent de Paul

Reflection by Deacon Steve

“Set your hearts on the greater gifts…If I give everything I have to feed the poor…but have not love, I gain nothing. There is no limit to love’s forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.
Now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. My knowledge is imperfect now; then I shall know even as I am known.
There are three things that last; faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.” 
 - 1 Cor 12:31-13:13

St. Vincent de Paul wrote, 

“Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity. Since she is a noble mistress, we must do whatever she commands. With renewed devotion, then, we must serve the poor, especially outcasts and beggars. They have been given to us as our masters and patrons.” (Correspondence, Paris, 1922 -1925)

Each time a “client’ is visited, know that you are seeing Christ “face to face” and likewise they see Christ “face to face” in you. Each time you go out on your visits you are a living testimony that charity is greater that any rule or teaching. You are a witness to how the Church’s teaching is to lead to charity. May that love you share return to you a hundredfold!

Have a blessed day and may God bless you and your families.

 - Deacon Steve