The Canticle of Creation
~St. Francis of Assisi
good Lord God,
to you belong praise, glory,
honour and all blessing.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation
and especially for our Brother Sun,
who brings us the day and the light;
he is strong and shines magnificently.
O Lord, we think of you when we look at him.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon,
and for the stars
which you have set shining and lovely
in the heavens.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord,
for our Brothers Wind and Air
and every kind of weather
by which you, Lord,
uphold life in all your creatures.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water,
who is very useful to us,
and humble and precious and pure.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom you give us light in the darkness:
he is bright and lively and strong.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord,
for Sister Earth, our Mother,
who nourishes us and sustains us,
bringing forth
fruits and vegetables of many kinds
and flowers of many colours.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord,
for those who forgive for love of you;
and for those
who bear sickness and weakness
in peace and patience
- you will grant them a crown.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Death,
whom we must all face.
(pause for moments of silence)
I praise and bless you, Lord,
and I give thanks to you,
and I will serve you in all humility.
(pause for moments of silence)
Amen.
As you consider your moments of silence, is there an image that is drawing you deeper?
to you belong praise, glory,
honour and all blessing.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for all your creation
and especially for our Brother Sun,
who brings us the day and the light;
he is strong and shines magnificently.
O Lord, we think of you when we look at him.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon,
and for the stars
which you have set shining and lovely
in the heavens.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord,
for our Brothers Wind and Air
and every kind of weather
by which you, Lord,
uphold life in all your creatures.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water,
who is very useful to us,
and humble and precious and pure.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom you give us light in the darkness:
he is bright and lively and strong.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord,
for Sister Earth, our Mother,
who nourishes us and sustains us,
bringing forth
fruits and vegetables of many kinds
and flowers of many colours.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord,
for those who forgive for love of you;
and for those
who bear sickness and weakness
in peace and patience
- you will grant them a crown.
(pause for moments of silence)
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Death,
whom we must all face.
(pause for moments of silence)
I praise and bless you, Lord,
and I give thanks to you,
and I will serve you in all humility.
(pause for moments of silence)
Amen.
As you consider your moments of silence, is there an image that is drawing you deeper?
As you sit with the image you are drawn to resting in your soul
or perhaps as you simply sit in image-less silence,
how are you being moved to "be" in the world
as we celebrate Earth Day 2015?
