Jesus describes Himself as the grain of wheat that must die to produce new life (Jn 12:24). From small, hidden beginnings, new life blooms. Flowers even sprout in the cracks of concrete roads, showing us that God’s creation has a remarkable way of surprising us with beauty and hope. The prophet Isaiah assures us that when God’s Spirit is poured out, barren deserts will transform into fruitful gardens, and justice will bring lasting peace and security (Is 32: 15–18).
Today, our common home suffers deeply. Pope Leo XIV warns of deforestation, pollution, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity, often driven by greed and injustice. The poor and the vulnerable, especially indigenous communities, are the ones who suffer most from these wounds. Too often, creation itself is treated as a simple commodity, fought over and exploited, instead of a gift entrusted to our care.
The Holy Father, in his message for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the care of creation 2025, reminds us that caring for creation is not an optional part of Christian life but a core expression of our faith. God commanded humanity to “till and keep” the earth (Gen 2:15), which means to cultivate, protect, and preserve it. It involves justice, protecting the environment, and honouring the Creator. Harming creation affects the poor and dishonours God. Caring for it fosters peace and hope for future generations.
As a parish, let’s continue praying, reflecting, and taking action together during this beautiful Season of Creation. We include prayers for caring for the planet and for those most affected by environmental crises in our daily prayers. We can also offer the Rosary or pray during Mass with this intention. Let’s come together with open hearts and hope to make a positive difference.
During our recent Catechetical meeting, we agreed to continue with Our Parish’s ecological initiatives, including recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation, tree planting, and maintaining the grounds. We aim to deepen the understanding of our catechism students of caring for creation by encouraging them to take small actions at home, in Sunday classes, or within the Church, such as reducing their use of single-use plastic, conserving water, and turning-off light switches and air conditioners when leaving the room.
Let us sow seeds through prayer, education, and action that will grow into peace for our world and hope for our children. May the Spirit of God help us to till and keep the garden of the world, so that creation may truly reflect the glory of Christ.
