#1 Wandering Reflection
Commune with Creation: Listen, Linger, Love
“To contemplate creation is to hear a message, to listen to a paradoxical and silent voice”. (LS 84)
Welcome to this invitation to contemplate Creation.
Inside or outside, wherever you are most comfortable. Slip off your shoes, if you like. Or focus your eyes outside your window.
Linger: Walk or look around you slowly. Notice if some member of creation attracts your attention: a cloud, a tree, a plant indoors, a child.
Allow yourself to linger, to pause, at whatever attracts your attention. Be present to what is before you. Use your senses to take in the wonder of this creature: the colors, shapes, smells, textures.
Listen: What might this being be trying to tell you? What might God be saying to you through this element of creation? Consider entering into dialogue with this member of creation, calling to mind St. Francis talking to the birds and calling Brother Sun and Sister Moon. You might ask a question. Then listen. Just be open to what might arise.
Love: When you are ready to leave, find a way to offer love by saying thanks — offer a prayer to God for this encounter, wish your new friend well. Find a way to acknowledge the gift you have received and your desire to give something in return.
If there is time, you might try this process of Linger, Listen, and Love with another element in creation.
Source: Laudato Si’ Movement Prayer Book
#2 Reflection: Listening for Creation’s Voice
Choose a quiet spot. Take a few slow deep breaths. Spend the next 10–15 minutes in silence.
Pay attention to sounds, movements, or quietness around you.
If indoors, you might listen to running water, a candle flame, or even recordings of nature sounds.
Notice how your body feels in this place of listening.
Reflection Prompt: If Creation could speak to me right now, what would it say?
Journal Prompt: Write a short journal note, prayer, or poem capturing your thoughts.
#3 Prayer: PEACE WITH CREATION
Creator of all,
we praise you for the gift of life
and for the faith that unites us in care for our common home.
We confess how estranged we have become—
from one another, from your Creation, and from our truest selves.
We acknowledge that our greed and destructive impulses
have fractured our relationships with you, with others, and with the Earth.
Fertile fields have become barren,
forests lie desolate,
oceans and rivers are polluted.
Thriving communities have become places of suffering,
and the earth cries out.
Beloved Christ,
who spoke “Shalom” to frightened hearts,
stir us to compassionate action.
Inspire us to work for the end of conflict,
and for the full restoration of broken relationships—
with you, with the ecumenical community,
with the human family,
and with all Creation.
Prince of Peace,
through your wounds, teach us to stand in solidarity
with the woundedness of others,
of creation, and of the world.
Through your resurrection,
make us people of hope—
with a vision of swords turned into ploughshares
and tears transformed into joy.
May we come together as one family,
to labor for your peace—
a shalom where all your people
may dwell in safety,
and rest in quiet places.
Amen.
