That God made birds is surely in His favor. I write them as His courtesies of love. Hidden in leaves, they offer me sweet savor of lightsome music; when they streak above
my garden wall they brush my scene with color.
They are embroideries upon the grass. I write the gayest stitched-in blossoms duller than birds which change their patterns as I pass.
I nurse a holy envy of St. Francis who lured the birds to nestle at his breast. Yet I am grateful for this one which dances across my lawn, a reckless anapest.
Subjects for gratitude push up my living praise to a sum that tempts the infinite; but birds deserve one whole psalm of thanksgiving and these words are my antiphon for it.
Musical Selection(Dan Schutte)
All praise to You, my Lord, in Your creatures great and small
The lark that sings to waken us, mighty mountains tall
The sun that guides the day, the moon that shepherds our way
Be praised, my Lord, in all things
Signore, Laudato Si'
All praise to You, my Lord, in the canyons wide and deep
The fields that feed and fills our homes, trees where birds can sleep
The rain that grows the seed, the hand that answers our need
Be praised, my Lord, in all things
Signore, Laudato Si'
All praise to You, my Lord, in the grandeur of the sky
The stars that keep their watch at night
Realms where eagles fly
The fire that keeps us warm, the calm that follows a storm
Be praised, my Lord, in all things
Signore, Laudato Si'
All praise to You, my Lord, in the passing of the years
For all our journeys old and new
All our joys and tears
For all that we have known, for death that welcomes us home
Be praised, my Lord, in all things
Signore, Laudato Si'
Meditation
If we consider that emissions per individual in the United States are about two times greater than those of individuals living in China, and about seven times greater than the average of the poorest countries,we can state that a broad change in the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a significant long-term impact. As a result, along with indispensable political decisions, we would be making progress along the way to genuine care for one another.
“Praise God” is the title of this letter. For when human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies. (LD 72-73)
Prayer
O God, you ever delight to reveal yourself to the child—like and lowly of heart: grant that, following the example of the blessed Francis, we may count the wisdom of this world as foolishness and know only Jesus Christ and him crucified, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, now and for ever. Amen.(English Missal)
