DAILY LAUDATO SI’ PRAYER:     Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you.  Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made.  Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is” (LS 246). Mary Queen of creation, pray for us.

May 24. Reflect, share and act.   from CAFOD Witness.  An Easter pilgrimage in the diocese of Northampton brought parishioners from five churches together to contemplate the beauty of creation and the dangers of climate change.  “This pilgrimage was something we wanted to do to make a difference,” explains Alban MacDonald, who helped organise a fifty-mile walk through the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside.  “The climate change theme was spot on for us,” says Alban. “We need to think not just of ourselves right now, but what’s going to happen to future generations.”  

The pilgrimage took place as part of CAFOD’s One Climate, One World campaign, which is calling on politicians to work together to tackle climate change and support the transition to sustainable energy.   Tessa Wiseman, who took part in the pilgrimage, points out “We are all affected by a changing climate, whether here or overseas. People in countries such as Peru, Kenya, and Bangladesh are already feeling the effects and it’s the most vulnerable communities that are at risk.”

After each walk, the group sat down over well-earned tea and cake to reflect, using topics suggested by CAFOD’s postcard reflections. They signed action cards urging Britain’s political leaders to stop climate change pushing people deeper into poverty.  As Alban explains: “My message to political leaders is to take climate change seriously, and reflect carefully on what climate change is doing, not just to our own communities but really to the poorest communities in the world.”

Reflect, share, act. Scripture.   Jesus said, “I will send the counsellor and when he comes he will convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgement.   John 16: 7.   Pope Francis: “Love makes itself felt in every action that seeks to build a better world” LS231.  In the present condition of global society, where injustices abound and growing numbers of people are deprived of basic human rights and considered expendable, the principle of the common good immediately becomes, logically and inevitably, a summons to solidarity and a preferential option for the poorest of our brothers and sisters. LS158.