March 15. A new heaven and a new earth.   Mrs Beatus spoke to the group:   The 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be a difficult time, but it is certainly not the only pandemic history has seen although it is the most wide-spread because of the nature of our global village. Creation in all its forms has suffered and survived many disasters but human beings are the only ones who can take responsibility.  Judgement and punishment for wrongdoing is necessary but hope is always there, God never abandons his people. 

From The Care of Creation. “The death of Jesus was not the annihilation of creation but its radical transformation through the power of God’s life-giving Spirit. Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of the transformation of the world and this includes the world of nature.  This is the ultimate message of the Incarnation.  God created, was present and continues to be present in his love, throughout the life of Jesus, his resurrection and the final transformation of all creation, as foretold in the gospels and the book of Revelation.  The human spirit surrenders its limited bodily structure and becomes open toward the universe and in some way a true brother and sister to the elements of the universe.  Relationship is the key to the beauty of the universe.  Since all reality is good, then my relationship with others, human and non-human ought to promote goodness.”  

Scripture: Thus says the Lord.  “Behold I create new heavens and a new earth.  Be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create, for behold I create Jerusalem, a rejoicing and her people a joy.    No more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping or the cry of distress.” Isaiah 65: 17-28.  Pope Francis: If we accept the great principle that there are rights born of our inalienable human dignity, we can rise to the challenge of envisaging a new humanity.  We can aspire to a world that provides land, house and work for all.  This is the true path of peace which will only be possible in the event of solidarity as the whole human family.   FT 127. 

Reflect, share, act, pray.  How can we contribute to this new humanity?