Season of Creation (Sept 11)
September 11, 2026
Sept 11
Scripture: Sirach 24:28-34
The first man never fully comprehended wisdom,
nor will the last succeed in understanding her.
29 For her thoughts are more vast than the sea
and her counsel more profound than the great abyss.
30 As for me, I was like a conduit from a river,
like a stream into a garden.
31 I said to myself, “I will water my garden
and drench its flower beds.”
And suddenly my conduit became a river,
and my river expanded into a sea.
32 I will again make learning shine forth like the dawn,
so that its light may be seen far and wide.
33 I will again pour out my teaching like prophecy
and leave it as a legacy to future generations.
34 And understand that I have not labored for myself alone
but for all who seek wisdom.
Meditation
From an article by Rev. Fr. Mark Stephen OFM. Cap.
Eco-Friendliness: Earth Caring Franciscan Spirituality
Humanity is a screen where God projects Himself and Nature is a screen where God beautifully paints and signs his name. The world is a dwelling place of God. The high mountains, deep waters, tall trees, dark woods, reptiles and animals, birds of the air, all speak of the wonderful creation of God. The Relationship which St. Francis established with mother earth was not an abstract one; indeed it was concrete with the individual creatures. For him, they became ‘brother’ and ‘sister,’ that is, ‘sons and daughters’ of the same Father. Through the creatures St. Francis rediscovered the true relationship with God, the Creator. In his admiration for the beauty of creatures, St. Francis admired, contemplated and sang the beauty of God.
The ecology about which awareness is very much emphasized in this modern time was already foreseen by this Saint of Nature. St. Francis particularly experienced God through nature and saw all God’s creations as part of his brotherhood. God placed everything in the hands of humans. Whenever humans spoil the environment or use violence against nature, mother earth produces contaminated fruits which are harmful to humans.
St. Francis was a lover of nature. He was so friendly with nature that even today the canticle of St. Francis is so popular revealing his love for God’s creation. His spirituality became so identified with nature that he was considered to be the role model for eco-friendly spirituality. His simplicity and his closeness to nature challenge us to renew our three-fold discourse with nature, human beings and God.
Musical Selection (Kathleen Deignan)
O come to us, Sophia,
Wisdom of the depths of God.
We move into the darkness of winter
Beholding the vault of the velvet night,
Gaze at the stars, wait for the moon
To reveal the face of Sophia.
We wait in the barren forest
Where birdsong is hushed the creatures all stilled,
Wrapped in the silence, holding our breath
To attend the voice of Sophia.
We prepare the space for the new life
In the womb of the soul the depths of the heart,
Conceived in desire, nurtured in hope
We await the birth of Sophia.
We become the midwives of wisdom
Conspiring long to bring her forth;
In tears do we labor, in joy do we bear
And give praise for the gift of Sophia.
We rise in the dawning of Springtime
Beholding the dome of the radiant light
Welcome the rains, rejoice in the life
That reveals the face of Sophia.
We’re drawn to the blossoming garden
Where birdsong is sung, the Creatures rejoice.
Wrapped in the music, waking our hearts,
We attend the voice of Sophia.
We become the husbands of Wisdom
Fostering every sprout and seed
Pruning desire, nurturing hope
We sustain the growth of Sophia.
We prepare for the harvest of Wisdom
At green summer’s close and deep in the fall
Gleaning the vision, gathering the dream,
We shall reap the fruits of Sophia.
We learn the way of the wise ones
By walking the path of compassion and trust.
With prophets and sages and mystics and Christ
We become the soul of Sophia.
Prayer
Mighty God,
your power fills heaven and earth,
is hidden in atoms
and flung from the sun.
Control us
so that we may never turn natural forces to destruction,
or arm nations with cosmic energy;
but guide us with wisdom and love,
so that we may tame power to good purpose,
for the building of human community
and the betterment of our common lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCW)