The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all Creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment. It is an annual ecumenical season where we pray and act together as a Christian family for our common home.
The theme for 2024 is “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol is “The firstfruits of hope”, inspired by Romans 8:19-25.
“For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.”
The team from Season of Creation has highlighted the following portions of these verses to help inform and inspire our celebration and action.
Creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth (Romans 8:22) Creation is groaning because of our selfishness and the unsustainable actions that harm her. Along Mother Earth, creatures of all kinds, including humans, cry out because of the consequences of our destructive actions causing climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and human suffering as well as Creation’s suffering. And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life is coming forth.
Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the children of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19) Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the manifestation of the children of God! The children of God are those who stretch up their hands towards the Creator, recognizing themselves as humble creatures, to praise and respect God, and at the same time to love, respect, care for, and learn from God’s gift of Creation. Creation is not given to humanity to use and abuse, rather, humanity is created as part of Creation. More than a common home, Creation is also a cosmic family that calls us to act responsibly.
Firstfruits of hope (Romans 8:23-25) There are different forms of hope. However, hope is not merely optimism. It is not a utopian illusion. It is not waiting for a magical miracle. Hope is trust that our action makes sense, even if the results of this action are not immediately seen (cf. Romans 8:24). Hope doesn’t act alone.
We know how much bold action to restrain the climate and ecological crises is urgent, and we also know that ecological conversion is a slow process as humans are stubborn to change their minds, their hearts, and their ways of living. Sometimes we don’t know what our actions should look like. As we journey in life, everyday we get new ideas and inspirations to find a better balance between the urgency and the slow rhythm of long-lasting change. We might not fully comprehend all that is happening, we might not understand the ways of God, but we are called to trust and follow with concrete and sustained actions, following the example of Christ, the redeemer of the whole cosmos (cf. Romans 8:25).
You can read Pope Francis’s Message for the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation to meditate more on these verses for us and our relationship with Creation and with hope as Catholics.
Pray for the Care of Creation using the prayer below:
Organize or Attend a creation walk or pilgrimage
Coordinate local education and sustainability activities
You can learn more through the Season of Creation’s website.