February 16.  Julie referred back to the previous day’s issue and their discussion about their children.  “It struck me that it was love that made God start over, not the fact that anyone had repented and asked forgiveness.  How often do we as parents do the same, forgive and carry on?  Remembering the Noah story and the rainbow at times has been a real encouragement to me with the kids. In the case of  concern for the environment God will not be the one to destroy everything.  Just look at the horrific war in Ukraine and how much destruction that has caused to human life and the environment. I do feel really helpless about that but know that God has not abandoned us.” Owen added, “another terrible natural disaster hit Turkey and Syria with the 6th February earthquakes. So far the human death toll stands at over 40 000 and so much destruction is WHATstill evident. It is not God’s direct action, but people do turn to him for mercy, while there is love and care in the response of so many people helping in different ways.”

Scripture:  God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.   The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the air and upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered.  Genesis 9:1-13. Pope Francis:  The Biblical tradition shows that this new beginning or renewal entails recovering and respecting the rhythms inscribed in nature by the hand of the Creator. LS 71.  The ancient stories, full of symbolism bear witness to a conviction that everything is interconnected and that genuine care for our own lives and our relationships with nature is inseparable from fraternity, justice and faithfulness to others.  LS 70.  Reflect, share, act and pray.