1.5 Prayer
STAGE 1: Facing Reality
ENVIRONMENTAL SUFFERING
FACING CONSEQUENCES
PRAYER
Rosary
With Pope Francis, let us contemplate Mary as “the Queen of all creation” and Joseph as “the defender from violence and injustice”.
Mary cares for our wounded world. “Mary, the Mother who cared for Jesus, now cares with maternal affection and pain for this wounded world. Just as her pierced heart mourned the death of Jesus, so now she grieves for the sufferings of the crucified poor and for the creatures of this world laid waste by human power” (LS 241).
Mary is the Mother and Queen of all creation. “Completely transfigured, she now lives with Jesus, and all creatures sing of her fairness. She is the Woman, ‘clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars’ (Rev 12:1). Carried up into heaven, she is the Mother and Queen of all creation” (ibid.).
Mary teaches us the ways of wisdom. “In her glorified body, together with the Risen Christ, part of creation has reached the fullness of its beauty. She treasures the entire life of Jesus in her heart (cf. Lk 2:19.51), and now she understands the meaning of all things. Hence, we can ask her to enable us to look at this world with eyes of wisdom” (ibid.).
Joseph defends us from violence and injustice. “At Mary’s side in the Holy Family of Nazareth, stands the figure of St. Joseph. Through his work and generous presence, he cared for and defended Mary and Jesus, delivering them from the violence of the unjust by bringing them to Egypt. The Gospel presents Joseph as a just man, hardworking and strong” (LS 242).
Joseph teaches us how to show care. “He shows great tenderness, which is not a mark of the weak but of those who are genuinely strong, fully aware of reality and ready to love and serve in humility. That is why he was proclaimed custodian of the universal Church. He too can teach us how to show care; he can inspire us to work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us” (ibid.).
Concluding Prayers
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. Amen!
[1-5] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER