“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And God said, “Let there be light”—the sun, source of all life. And God said, “Let the waters above and below bring forth life,” providing sustenance for the fruits of the fields and nourishment for the animals. And God saw that it was very good.
God created woman and man in God’s image and likeness and entrusted us with the care and protection of all creation: fields and forests, orchards and farms, rivers, lakes, oceans and seas.
Christ is the image of the unseen God, the Creator of heaven and earth. In Christ, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
At the Jordan River, a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called his apostles: “Follow me. Listen to my words.”
Gathering crowds by the lake, Jesus used a boat as his pulpit and preached the Good News. He invited those who were thirsty to come to him. He taught compassion, humility, peace and justice.
Jesus reminded us that the reign of God is within us. It is present when we are poor in spirit, when we share our land and waterways with others, when we work for peace and justice, and when we feed the hungry with the grain of our fields and the fruits of our orchards. It is present when we provide a cup of cold water to another in his name.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus calms the storm. The wind and the sea obey him, and he assures his disciples, “Do not be afraid.”
Fear is understandable in times of ecological crisis. We have witnessed earthquakes, torrential rains and devastating floods, severe droughts and wildfires, extreme heat, water restrictions and reservoirs running dangerously low. These realities can leave us fearful and uncertain about the future.
Ten years ago, in Laudato Si’, Pope Francis called us to recognize the damage we have done to our common home and urged us to take responsibility for its healing and restoration. He reminded us that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are deeply connected.
So we are invited to examine our own lives and our own choices. How do our lifestyles affect the earth and those who are most vulnerable? How can we move from awareness to action?
The Gospel today tells us: Do not be afraid. Have faith. Trust that Christ is present and active within creation.
At the Sea of Tiberias, the risen Jesus reveals himself to his disciples as they gather a net full of fish. He tells Peter, “Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep.” Lead them toward peaceful waters.
The water poured over us at baptism reminds us that we have put on Christ. In him, with him and through him, we are called to become people of life and hope.
We are caretakers of the earth. Let us trust that God is present—not only in the Gospels, but also in our ideas, our planning and organizing, our actions, our demonstrations, our phone calls, letters and texts, and in our prayer and perseverance.
Let us trust that Christ’s way and Christ’s truth will continue to bring light to our world.
Let us transform awareness into action and commitment into hope, so that the healing of the earth and the well-being of humanity may flourish together.
Wendell Berry has written: “To care for the earth is our most ancient and most worthy responsibility.”
We are called to stand in awe of creation, to appreciate its beauty and to protect the natural world. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.
To care for creation is not simply an ethical responsibility; it is a deeply Christ-centered responsibility. It is to participate in Christ’s work of holding all things together and bringing all creation to fulfillment.
As we celebrate this Mass for the Care of Creation, let us remember that our call continues today, tomorrow and every day.
Let us see life-giving water as a journey of faith.
Let us open our eyes to the beauty of the natural world.
Let us be grateful for the rain and snow that fill our rivers and lakes and refresh our grasses and trees, our gardens and wildflowers. Let us give thanks for our streams and waterfalls and reservoirs that sustain life—for the birds, the geese, the squirrels, the deer, and for us.
And let us remember the words of Jesus: “Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
May we truly become springs of living water—people who bring life, healing, hope and renewal to our common home.
~Sister Louise Mileski
Sister Louise has served in elementary education and as a pastoral associate in New York and St. Louis, faithfully preaching the Gospel through both word and deed.