Be Praised, Holy One

This summer I have been enjoying the flowers I planted at the parsonage. Each week there is a new flower blooming and bringing beauty and joy to my life and the world. I have been watching as the pollinators are busy collecting all the pollen. There are some flowers that are just full of the unattractive little marvels that do the most to feed the world and keep it going. But some of these flowers for the first time have attracted the pollinators we love to love: honey bees and butterflies. I have been enjoying the monarch butterfly that found a home here and made little monarch caterpillars. When I need a moment of joy just being with the flowers lifts my spirit. September and earlier October have come to be known in the church as Creation Season where we are asked to turn our attention to God the creator and our relationship to creation. This year this seems like an especially important moment to stop and prayer for the earth and celebrate creation. This month we have watched the burning of the amazon rainforest and glaciers disappearing revealing the island below, so to pause, breathe, and pray for the earth feels right. Creation Season usually ends with the feast of St. Francis, where we often prayer or sing his canticle to creation (All Creatures of Our God and King).

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.       St. Francis of Assisi, Canticle to the Sun