Introduction
In many countries around the world, people enjoy summer as a special vacation time and experience what a gift nature is to them. Nature can be a visible sign of the invisible God and teach us to marvel, be grateful, and transform ourselves. Whether watching a sunset or meditatively walking through meadows and fields, nature leads us to deeper joy and helps us find ourselves.
Creation is there for everyone – regardless of our skin color, nationality, language, or religion. Ultimately, it reminds us that we all live in the same house, that we share the same resources, and that we are called to unity with one another, with God, and with all of creation.
Call to Prayer
“As the desire of Jesus that all be one becomes more fully our own, our striving for unity embraces all humanity and the whole of creation.” (You Are Sent, Constitution 9)
Experience
Two significant but very different memories have repeatedly made headlines in the German media in recent weeks:
May 22, 2015: Publication of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si', which was recognized worldwide and across all religions, spread hope for our environment. At the time, it was particularly emphasized that the encyclical incorporated considerations from various sciences, that the connection between economics and ecology was made clear, and that the Pope was truly addressing all people, not just certain religious movements. Alois Glück, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), said 10 years ago: “Pope Francis is once again speaking plainly. He expects us to radically change the way we live and do business. In unambiguous and clear words, he presents a necessarily painful analysis of the situation of our world, which must shake up all people of good will.” (ZdK press release on June 19, 2015)
Countless people around the world are committed to putting into practice the ideas and proposals for action set out in the encyclical Laudato Si''.
July 14–15, 2021: This was a night of devastation in the Ahr Valley, where more than 180 people fell victim to a devastating flood, the effects of which continue to affect countless people to this day. No one in Germany ever expected such an unimaginable disaster in which so many people lost not only their homes and livelihoods, but also their loved ones. To this day, people are still living in temporary accommodations. During and after the flood disaster in 2021, the true power of solidarity became apparent: thousands of helpers rushed to the Ahr Valley and the affected areas in North Rhine-Westphalia to work together to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
However, in many cases, the greatest tragedy only became apparent many weeks and possibly years later: “The psychological consequences of the night of the flood were devastating for many children. They had to watch their families being swept away by the floods, spent hours in mortal fear on rooftops, and have since developed severe post-traumatic stress disorder.” (Blick-aktuell, February 10, 2025)
Reflection
You Are Sent calls us to direct our entire lives toward that oneness for which Jesus Christ was sent (C 4). You Are Sent reminds us that “our striving for unity embraces all humanity and the whole of creation” (C 9) and challenges us “to witness to unity in a divided world” (C 26).
- How do I experience this unity that was so important to Mother Theresia today?
- What does it mean to me to give a testimony of unity to the divided world? Can I live this unity in my everyday life with all the living beings of God's good creation?
In Genesis 1:1-2:3, we read about the creation of the world as people imagined it at that time. Almost like a refrain, at the end of each day of creation, it says: “God saw that it was good,” and at the end of the sixth day of creation: “Behold, it was very good.”
God creates something that forms a unity – his good creation. Today, however, a rift runs crisscross through the world and through society. Ultimately, it can also be found within ourselves. The world is torn apart. Our network is called Shalom, which means wholeness, integrity, physical and mental well-being – in other words, the opposite of being torn apart. We are invited to follow this path of well-being for all of creation.
Action
Even now in September, there are still many opportunities to go out and deepen your relationship with nature and marvel at its beauty. Invite your sisters, friends, or associates to join you and share your experiences afterwards:
Walk for fifteen minutes.
- When you walk out the door, turn off your cell phone and turn on your perception.
- What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What can you touch?
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Stand still. Let yourself be gifted by what you feel right now. Then you can return home refreshed and enriched by the experience!
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for all the beauty we encounter again and again in your creation.
How generous you are, God, when you want to give us joy!
Keep us from wanting to keep that joy only for ourselves and withholding your gifts from others or even destroying them.
But let us also treat your creation with care and thus recognize you, the Creator, anew in your glorious creation, who is with us and above us and within us through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(Dank für die Schöpfung, SVD)
Prepared by S. Maria-Theresia Knippschild, BY, for the Shalom International Network
Graphic taken from 25th General Chapter design by Joyelle Proot, SSND CP
