September 3
Ps 104: 4 You make the winds your messengers,
flame and fire your servants.
The prophet Isaiah tells us that the Spirit of God can make an arid and parched desert into a garden, a place of rest and serenity. In his words, “a spirit from on high will be poured out on us, and the wilderness will become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the work of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Is 32:15-18).
These words remind us that, together with prayer, determination and concrete actions are necessary if this “caress of God” is to become visible to our world. The prophet contrasts justice and law with the desolation of the desert. His message is extraordinarily timely, given the evidence in various parts of the world that our earth is being ravaged. On all sides, injustice, violations of international law and the rights of peoples, grave inequalities and the greed that fuels them are spawning deforestation, pollution and the loss of biodiversity. Extreme natural phenomena caused by climate changes provoked by human activity are growing in intensity and frequency, to say nothing of the medium and long-term effects of the human and ecological devastation being wrought by armed conflicts. (Pope Leo XIV)
God of immeasurable might,
whose hands shaped the sun in the sky;
on solid foundations established creation
and gave it life.
Everything made by design,
crafted with wisdom divine;
painted with purpose on your living canvas,
making the world come alive!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
God, you are wonderful!
All of creation breathes because of you.
You have poured your heart
into this work of art
and, with breath you gave,
the world responds in praise:
thank you for all you have made!
You are the giver of life,
sustainer of all in your sight;
you care for the needs
of the creatures beneath
your watchful eye.
You’re our creator and King,
your goodness surrounds everything;
ruling with kindness and walking beside us,
reigning in majesty.
Prayer