1 Isaiah 35:4-7a
●Isaiah paints beautiful picture of creation renewed; let us catch that vision and go forth to implement (Is 35).
2 James 2.14-17 Focus: “Faith without works.” “siblings naked, lacking daily food”
● Climate change is impacting agriculture. Food is less nutritious and less plentiful. How are we called to respond in order to feed our siblings now and in future generations?
● We proclaim a Gospel of salvation that includes all of Creation, not only human beings. Jesus commissioned his disciples, saying, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). As disciples of Jesus, our mission is to bring good news in word and deed to the whole Creation.
● Christian hope is in the renewal (Mat. 19:28) and restoration (Act. 3:21) of all things. Our participation with God in creating a more just and habitable world and living more gently on Earth is how we share in what Archbishop Desmond Tutu calls the “supreme work” of Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to God, one another, and God’s whole Creation. The good news of God in Christ is for all creatures and the whole Earth.
3. Mark 7.24-37 Focus: the boldness of the Syrophoenician woman
● With whom are we called to be bold to promote climate justice? Focus on how Jesus was open to the cries of the Syrophoenician woman.
● How can we open our ears and hearts to the cries and groans of the earth and thosewho suffer due to climate change?
●It is natural to care most for our own people, but God’s children are called to justice without borders (Mk 7).