Reflection
The beauty of the natural world gives us momentary experiences of God and moves us to long for God more deeply. We need this connection with nature lying deep in our psyches as an inheritance from our primitive ancestors and their respect for sacred places. Most of us, whether or not we are members of a particular religious tradition, find spiritual nourishment in the natural world. Its beauty is the primary revelation of God; it is turned toward God in unending praise
Prayer
I thank you my God for the beauty of this earth. Sensitize my spirit to be attuned with song of praise sung by your creation.
Action
Become more active in opposing all unnecessary destruction of the species and riches of this planet. Inform yourself with facts to refute Climate Deniers. Prepare some way to mark Earth Day.
Suggested Reading
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
Psalm 19:1
You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart. The trees are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that God planted. In them the birds build their nests; the stork has its home in the fir trees. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the coneys. You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. You make darkness, and it is night, when all the animals of the forest come creeping out. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.
Psalm 104:14-2-1
The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us. Soil, water, mountains: everything is, as it were, a caress of God. The history of our friendship with God is always linked to particular places which take on an intensely personal meaning; we all remember places, and revisiting those memories does us much good. Anyone who has grown up in the hills or used to sit by the spring to drink, or played outdoors in the neighborhood square; going back to these places is a chance to recover something of their true selves.
Pope Francis
A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood. If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an antidote the boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, and the alienation from the sources of our strength.
Rachel Carson
Earth’s crammed with heaven…
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations
Pope John Paul II
If you want to be reminded of the love of the Lord, just watch the sunrise.
Jeannette Walls
Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!
Sitting Bull
In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.
Aristotle
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir