Embracing the Season of Creation 2024: The First fruits of Hope

 

In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul likens the Earth to a mother groaning in childbirth (Romans 8:22). This evocative image, echoed by Saint Francis of Assisi when he referred to the Earth as our sister and mother, is particularly relevant today. We often view our planet as a resource to exploit rather than a gift from our Creator. This year’s Season of Creation encourages us to rethink our relationship with the Earth, act responsibly, and nurture hope in these challenging times.

Video from the Young Persons Resource from Season of Creation

Listening to Creation’s Cry

Paul’s imagery of a groaning Earth highlights the suffering caused by our exploitation of natural resources and the environment. We see this in the effects of climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and environmental destruction. The Earth, along with communities losing their homes and species facing extinction, is crying out due to our unsustainable practices.

Biblical hope is not passive waiting; it calls for active involvement. Like the process of childbirth, which involves pain but leads to new life, hope in the face of environmental destruction requires action. The Season of Creation 2024 theme, “To hope and act with Creation,” urges us to be proactive. Hope is not just about wishing for change; it drives us to work for justice and transformation.

The First fruits of Hope: Building a Better Future

The symbol for this year, “The First fruits of Hope,” signifies that through hope, we can overcome the damage and decay threatening our world. This hope is a gift from God, enabling us to act responsibly. It encourages us to move beyond selfish goals towards a more profound sense of duty to care for our planet. By nurturing hope, we participate in the renewal of our world, working together to create harmony within creation.

Hopeful actions can take many forms, such as supporting sustainability initiatives, advocating for policies like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and educating ourselves and others about the importance of caring for the Earth. These actions are the seeds of hope that, when nurtured, can lead to meaningful change.

Our Role as Stewards of Creation

According to Pauline theology, humanity and creation are deeply connected, both conceived in Christ. As stewards of the Earth, we are called to care for creation, reflecting God’s love and respect. The Earth awaits the actions of those who recognise their role as caretakers of creation. We are not separate from nature; we are part of a cosmic family that includes all living beings.

This understanding urges us to act. We must recognise that the harm we do to the Earth affects us all. Our ecological sins—our neglect and selfishness—bring pain not only to the planet but also to ourselves. We should channel our frustration into positive actions that promote justice and healing. As Saint Augustine famously said, “Hope has two beautiful daughters: Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” Let this anger and courage inspire us to work towards a better world.

Moving Forward: Patience and Endurance in Hope

Creating a hopeful future is a gradual process. Change takes time, and true ecological conversion requires patience and persistence. We may not always see immediate results, but hope reminds us that every effort counts. By taking small steps towards sustainability and justice, we contribute to a more just and peaceful world.

As we embrace the Season of Creation 2024, let us commit to cultivating the first fruits of hope. Let us listen to the cries of the Earth and respond with compassion and action. Let us stand with those suffering from the effects of climate change and work together for a future where peace, justice, and harmony thrive.

A Call to Hope and Action

The Season of Creation 2024 invites us to a deeper spiritual awareness. It challenges us to see the Earth not just as a resource but as a sacred gift to be cherished. It calls us to active hope, engaging with the struggles of our time to build a better future. By nurturing the first fruits of hope, we take part in the divine work of healing and renewal. Let our actions reflect our hope, and may we witness a world where creation flourishes and all beings live in harmony!

Season of Creation Resources: 

To support this, resources have been developed to help parishes, schools, and groups across the Archdiocese of Armagh engage in building hope. Inspired by St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, these materials encourage reflection on our role in God’s creation and our environmental responsibility.

The Young Persons resource is particularly engaging and includes a video featuring audio from the Apollo 8 space mission. During their lunar orbit in December 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts broadcast a live message to Earth, reading the first ten verses of Genesis, the biblical creation story. The Season of Creation invites reflection on our relationship with the Earth, with the Apollo 8 message serving as a poignant reminder of our world’s beauty and the need to care for it.

Young People and Season of Creation