Earth Week
"The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects."
Thomas Berry
Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772
To connect by phone dial: +1 646 558 8656
Opening Prayer: Holy One, this Earth, this one Earth, our only home, is filled with your Spirit. You made it. You became it. And every creature, every solid rock, every green growing thing, every animal from the microscopic to the monumental, contains your spark. We humans share that spark. Let our eyes be open as we take in the beauty of our home planet. Let us recognize her beauty as your beauty. Let us appreciate her bounty as your bounty. Let us hold her dear, just as you hold us. Amen.
From Thomas Berry, The Great Story: https://youtu.be/-cCCKo5rxE0
Beloved Mother of All Things
Dear Mother Earth,
I bow my head before you as I look deeply and recognize that you are present in me and that I’m a part of you. I was born from you and you are always present, offering me everything I need for my nourishment and growth. My mother, my father, and all my ancestors are also your children. We breathe your fresh air. We drink your clear water. We eat your nourishing food. Your herbs heal us when we’re sick.
You are the mother of all beings. I call you by the human name Mother and yet I know your mothering nature is more vast and ancient than humankind. We are just one young species of your many children. All the millions of other species who live—or have lived—on Earth are also your children. You aren’t a person, but I know you are not less than a person either. You are a living breathing being in the form of a planet.
Each species has its own language, yet as our Mother you can understand us all. That is why you can hear me today as I open my heart to you and offer you my prayer.
Dear Mother, wherever there is soil, water, rock or air, you are there, nourishing me and giving me life. You are present in every cell of my body. My physical body is your physical body, and just as the sun and stars are present in you, they are also present in me. You are not outside of me and I am not outside of you. You are more than just my environment. You are nothing less than myself.
I promise to keep the awareness alive that you are always in me, and I am always in you. I promise to be aware that your health and well-being is my own health and well-being. I know I need to keep this awareness alive in me for us both to be peaceful, happy, healthy, and strong.
Sometimes I forget. Lost in the confusions and worries of daily life, I forget that my body is your body, and sometimes even forget that I have a body at all. Unaware of the presence of my body and the beautiful planet around me and within me, I’m unable to cherish and celebrate the precious gift of life you have given me. Dear Mother, my deep wish is to wake up to the miracle of life. I promise to train myself to be present for myself, my life, and for you in every moment. I know that my true presence is the best gift I can offer to you, the one I love.
Intentions
That we, our political and spiritual leaders, and every human being give priority to caring for our earth and its creatures, we pray.
Response: For our mother, the Earth
That environmental justice may be taken seriously by city planners and political leaders so that every person may have access to clean water, fresh air, the shade of trees, and open areas to enjoy and grow to love the Earth, we pray.
Response: For the children of Earth
For the many species of plant and animal that are on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, or poisons in land, sea, and air; may we humans see and act on this terrible loss that only we can prevent, we pray.
Response: For the creatures of Earth
Holy One, we give thanks for all the gifts that flow from you, through our home planet Earth. We pledge on this Earth Week to devote ourselves to her care, just as she cares for us. We know that in honoring her we are honoring you. Amen.
Closing Song: Earth Anthem https://youtu.be/Y3TkbbzYqsM
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